Canstruction

From Yummy Math, "Just before Thanksgiving there is an annual demonstration at the Winter Palace in the World Financial Center of New York City.   Canstruction is a celebration of design, of engineering, and of donating time, talent and food to the hungry. At the end of the exhibit all the amazing creations are dismantled and thousands of cans of food are given to hungry people via soup kitchens, food banks, shelters and senior homes.  Canstruction, Inc now has events in over 200 cities worldwide.

Here is a picture of an exhibit called "Downside Up" which was the winning exhibit from Canstruction, 2010, in New York City.

"How many cans does it take to build this structure?  What information do you need to determine this?  How did you determine your solution? What else did you notice that is mathematical?"

The pdf of the student work sheet can be found by clicking here.    The YummyMath link for this activity can be found by clicking here.  Note that some of the solution pages will involve you having a membership.  Membership to YummyMath is $22 US.   Try asking your Principal or Department head if this is a possible for your school.