The tensile structure takes shape...

We've had a very productive couple of days at the M Shed in Bristol. Big thanks to structural engineers Rachael and Eleanor from Arup and Jenni (independent structural engineer)! We spent two days talking all things structures while making, creating and building. We talked load paths, foundations, tension, compression, properties of materials and lots, lots more. It was great to see our chum Fabrice along too helping out on a couple of the other engineering stalls.

Attaching a rather fetching green infill panel.

If you want to see and touch the canopy pop along to the M Shed where it will be displayed until Sunday 26 May. We are looking for more infill panels too. So if you fancy making a square or rectangle we'd love to see your handiwork. So far we've been using knitting looms for the panels as these create a quite open, stretchy fabric. But we're happy with hand knitted, crocheted, woven or felted squares of any colour. Pop any squares along to the M Shed or get in touch with Helen for a postal address / arrange collection.

It's all rather colourful isn't it?

One visitor suggested it would make a great tent for Snowflake (a much-loved toy dog). Who else might like to live or shelter in a colourful, woolly canopy structure?

Next stop: the Royal Institution's next Family Fun Day 9 June.