My team's design used the package of index cards - unopened - as the main structure of the hotel. We taped the scissors to the index cards such that the scissors pointed upward, extending 3 inches above the top of the "hotel". We taped the stapler to the back of the index cards and called that the parking garage. The box from the tape was attached to the front of the "hotel" and decorated as a grand entrance. The scissors, we explained, represented a thrill ride atop the hotel. Shariese, one of the team members, even put a piece of tape spiraling around the top of the scissors making it look like a ride's tracks. It was quite a site, really. As we were building the model, Dr Longenecker commented on the design saying that he had NEVER seen anyone take this approach.

Before the judging began, I asked if I may point out a flaw in the instructions. Dr Longenecker agreed to hear me out.

"The instructions," I said, "indicate that we are to build an 'earthquake proof hotel which will be slated for construction in southern California outside of San Francisco."
"Yes," replied Dr Longenecker
"San Francisco is in NORTHERN California, so geographically, the task is impossible."
The reply was, "Good point!"

Apparently that wasn't the trick answer that I thought it was. The judging went on.

Because we were team number 4, our hotel was "shaken" last. Team 1's hotel was similar to ours in that they used the cards, unopened and taped the stapler to it. They didn't include the scissors or the tape box. The result of the earthquake on their building was devastating. The stapler broke into two pieces and the bottom part went flying. They claimed that it was designed to do that. Team two built a very large, spread-out hotel by constructing boxes out of the index cards and taping them together. The center of their hotel was empty but for in in-ground pool. When the bundle of books was dropped, it landed in the center (court-yard) area crushing absolutely nothing. It bounced once and landed on part of the hotel. It crushed one room. That's it. Team 3 built their model by laying out stacks of index cards in a small square leaving a courtyard in the middle similar to team 2's design. Their courtyard, however, was only 3X5 in size and there was no way books could land in the middle without damaging the hotel as it did for team 2. The books landed atop the "hotel" with a thump. The hotel survived.

There was a bit of commotion when Dr Longenecker walked over to our "hotel" with his bundle of books. The anticipation for what was about to happen was palpable. We were given the opportunity to explain our design just as the other teams were. I gave the description. When I was done, Dr. Longenecker raised the books above his head and let gravity take over. The books hit the "hotel" and tumbled off to the side ripping the scissors off of the back of the index cards and leaving the stapler and box attached. By and large, the hotel was unharmed. The scissors, however, went with the books. The tip of the scissors were embedded into the bottom book.

We didn't win. Team 2 won, and they should have won. It was a great design and they worked hard (together) to pull off the construction.

We were, however, given an honorable mention and the bundle of books, with the scissors protruding, will remain in his office as a trophy for display to future classes.

Later, when we were eating lunch, Dr Longenecker came over to me, put his hand on my shoulder and thanked me for pointing out the error in the instructions. Apparently, in the five years that he's been using this exercise, I was the first person to point this out. Yea me!