Lets apply what you’ve learned in the Marshmallow Igloo STEM Kit and build a tower out of paper!
Now you’ve built your Marshmallow Igloo, and you’ve tested your Popsicle stick triangle and square, now you’re ready to take the Tallest Tower Challenge. Lets apply what you’ve learned in the Marshmallow Igloo STEM Kit and build a tower out of paper!
What you will need:
- Paper (30 Sheets)
- Masking tape or Scotch Tape
- Optional: Can of food or a small heavy object
The challenge: Build the tallest tower you can! Apply what you’ve learned about geometry, physics and engineering, test your tower, and make changes to make it taller.
- Roll up the pieces of paper and tape them so they look like straws.
- Tape your paper straws together to build the tallest tower you can.
- Optional: Can your tower support the weight of your can? Place your can on top of your tower to find out.
Many types of engineers use these principals every day. Structural Engineers, Civil Engineers, and Architects have to think about the strength of each shape when designing buildings.
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, Geometry is used to design with the best angles to make structures as strong as possible, using shape, size, position and other properties. Civil engineers use geometry to design and assemble shapes to construct freeways, tunnels, bridges and more.
Structural Engineers use many types of math, including geometry and trigonometry, which is is a branch of math that studies triangles and the relationships between their sides and the angles between these sides.
Architects use geometry to study and divide space as well as draft detailed building plans. Builders and engineers rely on geometric principles to create safe buildings.
Do any of these careers sound fun to you?
How tall was your tower? Does it support a can of food? Send in a picture of your tower to @fairportrobotic on Twitter!