Discover Engineering in Central Texas

Build a Tower

Grade Level:  Middle School, 5^th-8^th  

Related classroom topics:  Civil Engineering, Force, Structure

Supplies Needed: 

Divide students into groups of 3-5.  Each group will need: 

·        10 sheets of paper

·        2 feet of tape

Procedure: 

1.      Instruct students to design, build, and test a tower/structure that has the largest height to base dimension ratio..

2.      Only allow them to use 10 sheets of paper and 2 feet of tape.

3.      The students can cut, fold, or tear the materials.

4.      The structure built must be free standing.          

Extensions:  Using the “Build a Bridge Advanced” as a guide, incorporate a budget into the experiment.  The team that can build the most stable bridge with the least amount of materials will have the winning design.  If time allows, get students to redesign their bridge a few times (bring extra paper and tape). 

Related topics you could discuss:  Engineering design, Construction and analysis, Teamwork, Force, Stability

Hints/Tips:  Pre-build a tower to show to the students.