Article: Before you begin the planning phase of building your bridge, you'll want to ensure that you have all the materials that you will need. You'll need balsa wood for your structure. Before you buy the wood sheets, estimate how large your bridge will be. With these dimensions, overestimate how much wood you'll need; it's best to have some extra. Balsa wood is affordable and strong. Look for a medium- to high-density balsa. If you can't find it in your local hobby store, order it online. For planning, you will need large-sized 1/8-inch graph paper, a pencil and eraser, and a ruler. To assemble your balsa bridge, you'll need sewing pins, a large piece of foam board, a wood cutter, parchment paper, and masking tape. You don't have to use graph paper for this draft. Draw both the side and top views of your bridge. Feel free to make as many rough drafts as you need to. There are several types of bridge construction. Think about what you want yours to look like. Most balsa bridges are types of truss bridges or arch bridges, as the wood lends itself well to this type of construction. Plus, these are two of the simpler types of bridges to engineer. Truss bridges are type of beam bridge supported by crossing posts above the bridge, and arch bridges are supported by large arches below the roadway of the bridge. Trusses have triangular frames of varying frequencies. Different types of bridges carry loads differently. When thinking about your design, you can build your own based on a type of bridge, e.g. truss or arch, or simply find a template for the type of bridge you want to build online and print this instead of using your drawings. After you finish your rough draft and decide what type of bridge to create, use it to make a scaled rough draft. Draw both the sides of your bridge with the trusses included to scale and the overhead view of your bridge. You want your drawing to be the actual size that you want your balsa bridge to be, not a scaled-down drawing. It's fine if it takes up the entire sheet of graph paper. On the side-view drawing, write in all the measurements for easier cutting. If you plan to enter your bridge into a competition, like the Science Olympiad, make sure you comply with any competition-specific regulations or dimensions.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Choose your materials. Create a rough draft drawing of your bridge. Draw your final draft.
Article: While you are cleaning their home, place your hamster in their hamster ball or in a playpen. You want to take your time while you clean and you'll need both hands. Do not try to hold on to your hamster with one hand while you clean with the other. It won't be good for your cleaning job or for your hamster. Use regular dish soap mixed with water. Even the tiniest trace of other types of soap (like hand-wash) can prove uncomfortable for your furry buddy. Use special hamster or rodent cleaning soap, which you can buy from most pet shops. You can also use a vinegar solution to clean the hamster's habitat. Make sure that all the water has evaporated and all of the cleaning solution has been removed. Remember that hamsters have sensitive noses and the scent of vinegar or soap will be bothersome. In order to retain the hamster's scent on the bedding, mix a small amount of unspoiled bedding with new bedding. Cheap bedding can be found at most grocery stores. Another good bedding is shredded tissue; you could also use shredded paper towel. Do not use newspapers, as the hamster will lick the ink off it and this will make it extremely ill. Never use pine or cedar wood shavings, as they are unhealthy for hamsters. Aspen is fine.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Place your hamster in a safe place. Clean the cage thoroughly. Rinse the cage and let dry. Replace their bedding.
Article: Eye contact and smiling are two universal acts of flirting. Looking at someone from across a room lets them know that you notice them. When you smile, you're showing them that you are open to talking to them and that you may be interested in them, or that you like how they look. Don't force a smile or stare at them, however! You can meet a potential date at school, work, a grocery store, a bar, or in other social situations. Smiling also releases endorphins that make you happier and can make other people react in a positive way. Maintain eye contact for two to three seconds before looking away. If you look back and the person is still looking in your direction, this is a good sign that they meant to lock eyes with you. You can tell a lot just by the way someone looks at you or carries themselves. For example, if they point their feet toward you or lean in your direction, they may be interested in you. If they cross their arms and legs or point their knees away from you, they are not interested in you. Other signs include: If the person smiles back, it's a good indicator that they wouldn't mind your company. If they hold your gaze for more than two seconds, it's a good sign that they would talk to you. If they avoid your gaze, look uncomfortable, or avoid you altogether, this is a sign that they aren't interested. Once you've evaluated that they like your attention, you can introduce yourself. Walk up to them with confidence by standing upright and keeping your shoulders back. Start by offering a handshake and saying hello. Begin the conversation by asking for their name or talking about something relatable. For example, you can say something like, "Hey, my name's Alex. This band rocks. What do you think of them?" Pay close attention to their body language and facial expressions. If they look disgusted, disinterested, or frightened, you may not want to introduce yourself. Once you've introduced yourself to them and they appear receptive to you, you can start a conversation. Start by asking small questions, like how their day is so far or if they live in the area. If the conversation seems like it's stalling, ask them questions about themselves. Practice active listening by paying close attention to what the person has to say and where they are coming from. Improve your communication and listening skills by providing feedback, deferring judgemental thoughts, and responding appropriately. Instead of waiting for your turn to say something, internalize and listen to what the person is saying and show them that you're invested in the conversation. You can enhance your listening skills by summarizing or repeating something that the person said. For example, if they explain how they liked a band before they went mainstream, you can say something like, "So what you're saying is that you liked their underground sound more than their poppy new music, right?" Some good starter questions include: What do you like to do in your spare time? What kind of music do you prefer? Are you a student? Do you like art? or What's your favorite movie? Don't plainly ask the question by itself. Integrate it into the conversation. For example say, "I just saw the new Guillermo Del Toro film and thought it was amazing. What movies do you like?" If you listen to what they have to say, you'll determine whether the person would be interested in seeing you again. If they mention a significant other, then they will most likely not go on a date with you. If they seem happy and enthusiastic to talk to you, then it's likely they want to see you again. If they avoid eye contact altogether and have short responses, you should take this as a sign to leave. If they seem comfortable and happy while talking to you, it's a good hint that they will say yes if you ask them out. Ask them for their contact information first, then see how they feel about meeting up with you later. It may be stressful to ask the question, but don't wait too long to ask, or you may never get the opportunity. You can say something like, "I had a fun time talking to you. Do you want to do this again?"
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Make eye contact and smile. Evaluate the person's body language. Introduce yourself. Start a conversation. Listen to what they have to say. Ask them out.