Today, I used my kids and my friends kids, as Ginny Pigs.
Judging by the tantrums and the high level of frustration - the experiment failed miserably.
As a test for the 'young architect class’ I teach, we tried to build an abstract structure made out of toothpicks and mush beans that where soaked in water for several hours. According to THE book (which is a must have book for anyone who likes to build) we should have used dries peas.
I couldn’t find any, so I figured, dried mush beans will work just as well. Needless to say - I was wrong.
The mush beans couldn't hold the structure; everyone had their hands poked several times, and all of the structures fell apart. Lots of tears, loads of agony.
So, what did I learn?
1. Only experiment on your own kids or best friends kids that you know will love you anyways no matter what.
2. Mush beans and green beans are completely different construction materials.
3. Raisins, mini marshmallow and jellybeans are far better building materials then beans, turning frustration into a sweet festivity….
4. If all fails…..Potato head figures are a great alternative for toothpick construction
tali
