Tensegrity Table

Please read the procedure before beginning! After reading, please watch the video. Some activities require more time and cleanup than others. You also have the choice of performing these activities in a way that suits your needs.

Not for children under 3 years. Adult supervision required. Follow approved procedures.

Materials

· Laser cut pieces

· Scissors

· Thread

· Fishing line

Procedure

1. Press-fit the two laser cut ‘arms’ (the pieces with the logos on them) into the two U-shaped pieces (see video for clarification).

2. Choose either thread or fishing line to use as the tension lines – the thread is easier to tie, but the fishing line is stronger and enhances the illusion that the top of the table is floating.

3. Use the ruler on the STEM SAK Bundle box to measure and cut a 6-inch piece of thread (or fishing line). Put one end of the thread through the hole in the arm by the OH WOW! logo and tie it. Put the other end through the hole in the other arm by the ETC logo. Ensure that the holes on the arms are about an inch apart (with an inch of thread between them), then tie the other end of the thread to connect the arms.

4. Measure and cut four 10-inch pieces of thread.

5. Place the base of the tensegrity table so that the OH WOW logo is right-side-up. Tie one end of each piece of thread to the holes in each corner of the base.

6. Hold up the top piece (the piece with the ETC logo) so that it is parallel to the base piece. Tie the free ends of each piece of the thread to the holes in the top piece that are directly above the holes in the base. Ensure that there are no more than two inches between the base and the top so that there is tension in the middle thread.

7. If all the pieces are the correct length, the tensegrity table will stand upright and hold weight. If it is unstable, untie the thread at the most unstable corner(s) and adjust the length(s) until there is tension in the strings and the table is stable. Cut off the excess thread.

8. The tensegrity table is complete – how much weight can it hold?

The Science Behind It

A tensegrity table works by using tension to provide integrity. Tension is the force that results from pulling an object in opposing directions. Integrity or structural integrity is the ability of a structure to remain stable and intact under additional weight. The two are combined to produce tensional integrity or tensegrity.

The tensegrity table works by hanging the top piece from the base. There is tension in the middle tension line because the base is pulling up on it as the top piece is pulling down on it due to gravity. Then, the four pieces of tension line on the corners provide stability and structural integrity. Try pushing down on one of the corners. There is tension in the opposite corner, keeping the table stable.