〈Tutorial 9（Make the tallest giraffe）〉

In this tutorial, our tutor, Rose, gave us a paper, some spaghetti, 5 drinking straws, some marshmallows, roll of sellotape, string and plastic plate and called us to make the tallest giraffe. We form a group of 6 people and started to make it.

At first, we all did not know how to make it. We discussed and dropped some ideas on the paper. After a few minutes, we decided to use the drinking straws be the legs, body and neck. But then we found a problem: the giraffe could not stand and it was fragile. So we tried the different ways to improve it. We used some spaghetti insert into the drinking straws and used roll of sellotape to fix it. Although we solved this problem, the giraffe was short. We used 2 drinking straws to make its neck longer, and then we found that it was no head. We put the marshmallows on top of the drink straw but it collapsed. At this moment, Rose reminded us that time was up, we had to finish it. Finally, we decided to hand in the giraffe without head.

There were 4 group, but 2 of them were fail the condition. Although our giraffe passed, we lose because the other group’s one was taller than us’. I thought it was never mind because I learnt many things in this tutorial.

（The other group's giraffe）

First of all, I learn how to solve problems with creative thinking. Actually I was at a loss what to do because I could not imagine how to make a giraffe. But then, our groupmates hard to think some ways to make it. So I tried to think about it too. We should not give up before we tried, creative could be trained with these excises.

Next, I knew how important of condition. There was one group that they built the giraffe on the two boys head. I though it was very creative, but at the end, their giraffe could not pass. It was because their giraffe had not built on the plastic plate. It made me understand that if we not followed the instructions, it was useless.

Lastly, I think groupmates should help each other. Everyone have their fortes and creative thinking style. When we have some problems which we cannot solve, we need the others’ help. This time, I was helped by my groupmates and I want to help them in the next time.