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Create a paper structure that supports weight.
Work in teams effectively.

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For each group of students, prepare:

5 children’s book
Newspaper, 10 (full pages) sheets per students
One bean bag (small ones, like those thrown for the game Cornhole)
Pencils
Paper for brainstorming and recording results

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Have all materials ready and accessible to students.

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Ask students how buildings and bridges support large amounts of weight.
- Bridges use some structural designs such as arches and trusses.
- Buildings must create strong foundations and beams to support against horizontal and vertical forces.
- Both bridges and buildings must manage compression or tension.
Separate students into groups and introduce the first construction challenge: What is the tallest tower you can build from 6 sheets of newspaper. Can your tower support the weight of a beanbag?
Let students brainstorm with each other for 5 minutes before they start building.
Give students 10 minutes to build their paper structures.
After building, test each structure as students feel ready, allowing time to try multiple designs. Make sure to place the beanbag yourself in order to avoid discrepancies. Place the weight gently and evenly on the structures.
- Note: There are lots of different ways that students can manipulate the paper to achieve different results, for example bending, rolling, tearing, scrunching or concertina folding. Remember, most structures will fail, this experiment will take lots of trial and error! Have fun!
Allow students to take notes and record the results from the testing period.
If time permits, introduce another a challenge and repeat Steps 3-6: Can you build a table from newspaper that will support the weight of 5 books?
To conclude, have a final discussion with students regarding their thoughts, results, and observations from the activities.

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Paper Structures

Paper Structures

Paper Structures

Overview