Wow everybody, we really really did it! We built one enormous in three parts--head, thorax and abdomen. We included grasshopper legs, a scorpion's stinger, dragonfly wings, pinchers, antennae, and some monkey bars for good measure.

Our bug came in around 25' in length all put together. It sure was a team effort!

Our day started just like any other--with some reminders of our schedule and our goals. We'd spend the day collaborating, trying hard, making mistakes, and end up with a cool thing to play with and play in. Then, we'd take it all apart. But, someone asked, what if we don't finish? Well, that's a possibility, we reminded. And remember, finishing is not one of our goals!

Lachlan helps Lian install a support beam beneath the floorboards in the bug's abdomen.

A collaborator helps Ella install one finishing touch to the dragonfly wings.

Ryan, Santiago, Finn and Owen test the pulley system that Finn designed to open and close the mouth of the bug.

When we came back from park, we checked in as a whole group to make a plan for moving the sections of the insect together. After the head moved into the main building area on Wednesday, the sections were pretty close to where they would end up. But, we realized the abdomen would need to turn all the way around, and have some long feet installed to help keep the heavy stinger from tipping it over.

All hands on deck! The abdomen team moves the abdomen up toward the thorax.

Collaborators and campers hold the stinger in place...

While a crew of clampers clamp it to the end of the abdomen.

After a quick reset and closing circle, we were all really ready to enjoy our enormous insect! So that's just what we did! We got eaten through the mouth, swung our way through the thorax, and explored the ins and outs of the abdomen.

And then we took it all apart! Thank you so much for all of your help with a quick and organized reset, it really does make our Friday afternoon so much easier.

Riley helps pull out the staples holding the fabric skin of the head in place.

Trixie takes some screws out of the frame of the thorax, while a parent holds the wood in place.

Joey helps disassemble the insect head, sorting the different sized screws into different buckets as he goes.

And don't forget to check out the flickr for more pictures!

INSECT, Week 1, Day 5