Tensegrity Tower by Makers

Bill Gurstelle led a tensegrity tower hangout during Maker Camp, 2012. Maker Camp is a virtual summer camp for teens, with a focus on creating, building, and discovering. While it might be more efficient to just follow instructions online, it's nice to see tensegrity in the Maker community.

Week 3, Theoretical Thursday at Maker Camp. Today we're going to be learning about tension, by building a "tensegrity tower" sculpture from dowels and stretch cord that seems to defy the laws of physics. When we're done, we'll have a system of wooden dowels that float in the air.

Make magazine's 2006 instructions are still online here--and no, you don't have to use brooms.

Visit Makezine.com/maker-camp for more information on the camp.

Links:

[1] Maker Camp: Tensegrity Towers with Bill Gurstelle 

[2] Make magazine 2006 tensegrity tower instructions