Paper Tower Challenge
In this lesson, your design team is challenged to build a paper tower using what you have learned of tower design. redesign the classic paper cup so that no tape, glue, or staples are necessary. You will work as a group to create this tower within budget and on time. Each group of students will be given a stack of paper to design a tower that will be both elegant and tall.
REMEMBER: To cut down on production costs, students will design and build a tower with only the materials provided.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students will:
Design a solution to build a tower with the materials provided and stay within given restraints
Implement and evaluate the solution
Accurately record and communicate the outcomes
Teacher planning
TIME REQUIRED
1 Class Period
MATERIALS NEEDED
Per team of students:
10 pieces of 8 1/2″ × 11″ paper and 12 inches of tape
1 pencil
1 design sheet
STUDENT HANDOUTS
Paper Tower Data Sheet
ACTIVITIES
Set out the materials each team will need.
Allow students time to design and construct a paper tower that meets these criteria.
The tower must be made from no more than ten sheets of paper, 8 1/2″ × 11″ in size and 12 inches of tape.
The paper may be cut, torn, and taped and the sheets can be folded in any way.
The tower must stand as tall as possible.
It must be sturdy and should be aesthetically pleasing also.
TESTING PROCEDURE
When a design is completed, the tower will be measured and the height will be recorded on the data sheet. If there is time they may then try to make it even taller.
REMEMBER: To cut down on production costs, students will design and build a tower with only the materials provided.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students will:
Design a solution to build a tower with the materials provided and stay within given restraints
Implement and evaluate the solution
Accurately record and communicate the outcomes
Teacher planning
TIME REQUIRED
1 Class Period
MATERIALS NEEDED
Per team of students:
10 pieces of 8 1/2″ × 11″ paper and 12 inches of tape
1 pencil
1 design sheet
STUDENT HANDOUTS
Paper Tower Data Sheet
ACTIVITIES
Set out the materials each team will need.
Allow students time to design and construct a paper tower that meets these criteria.
The tower must be made from no more than ten sheets of paper, 8 1/2″ × 11″ in size and 12 inches of tape.
The paper may be cut, torn, and taped and the sheets can be folded in any way.
The tower must stand as tall as possible.
It must be sturdy and should be aesthetically pleasing also.
TESTING PROCEDURE
When a design is completed, the tower will be measured and the height will be recorded on the data sheet. If there is time they may then try to make it even taller.