Bamboo Explorations

Gabe's:

Bamboo Explorations teaches resource management and fundamental agricultural principles. Developed in collaboration with schools in Syria, this project combines research and materials science into a comprehensive manual and presentation. Its primary goal is to evaluate whether bamboo can serve as a timber substitute in Syria’s arid climate, where wood is scarce and costly. Because bamboo grows quickly and tolerates dry conditions, it presents a practical alternative. Furthermore, this project shows students how to build furniture out of bamboo while also being resource efficient. It includes a manual explaining how to build a tensegrity chair and also offering a challenge for the students to take on. Moreover, working with bamboo gives students hands‑on experience in design and engineering, enriching their education and the resources they can access.

Nico's:

In Syrian schools, students don't have access to materials for their desks, chairs, and other necessities. Syria has a very dry climate therefore growing trees becomes more expensive and in turn, lumber prices are through the roof. Not having a desk or a chair can make school uncomfortable and learning impossible. This project aims to lower lumber prices in Syria by growing bamboo. Bamboo grows very fast and some species need only 750 mm of water per year, such as Dendrocalamus Strictus, also known as male bamboo. It grows very fast and is almost solid under certain conditions. Using these bamboo stalks, some rope, and a little time, you can use tensegrity to make a very material-efficient desk that can support a large amount of weight. Students would be given small infographic booklets teaching them how to make this desk and the basic skills needed to make any structure with this method. In addition, this booklet would be able to teach them about agriculture and biology. Of course for anything larger than a shade canopy or desk, such as a building, or another weight-bearing structure, they would need help from an adult and some larger bamboo stalks and stronger rope.

Bradley's:

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