Under Pressure
Source Institutions
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WGBH
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In this simple activity, learners discover how a mere piece of paper can be used to hold up the weight of a heavy book. Learners are encouraged to modify their materials, using the steps of the design process, to explore how such modification changes the amount of pressure paper can withstand. This inexpensive activity is great used with engineering or architecture units.
- 5 to 10 minutes
- 10 to 30 minutes
- 1 cent - $1 per student
- Ages 6 - 11
- Activity
- English, Spanish
Quick Guide
Materials List (per student)
- A few sheets of paper
- Heavy book (e.g., a phone book, textbook, or binder)
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Tape
Subjects
- Engineering and Technology
- Engineering
- Architectural Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Engineering
- The Nature of Science
- The Scientific Process
- Conducting Investigations
- The Scientific Process
- The Nature of Technology
- The Design Process
- Problem Solving
- Troubleshooting and Maintenance
- The Design Process
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- be mobile
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
Foreign language versions of this resource:
Components that are part of this resource:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
- WGBH
Source Collection:
- FETCH! With Ruff Ruffman
Rights:
- All Rights Reserved, WGBH Educational Foundation, ©2007
Funding Sources:
- National Science Foundation, 0610406
- Public television viewers
- Arby's
- Greendog
