Source Institutions
Source Institutions
Add to list Go to activity
Activity link broken? See if it's at the internet archive

In this activity, learners design, build, test and redesign a display tower that will meet a specific set of criteria and constraints. Learners apply the engineering design process to solve the Golden Book design challenge to make a low cost display tower that can hold a statue and can be taken apart and reassembled easily for transporting from one library to another.
- 10 to 30 minutes
- 2 to 4 hours
- $10 - $20 per group of students
- Ages 8 - 18
- Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- Student Resource Sheets
- Student Worksheets
- Pieces of corrugated cardboard (small, medium, and large)
- Newspaper
- Index cards
- Paper
- Card stock
- Clay (cut into 1" sections)
- Straws
- Pipe cleaners
- Skewers
- Dowels
- Paper clips
- Binder clips
- Brass fasteners
- Masking tape (cut into 1 foot pieces)
- String (cut into 1 foot pieces)
- Aluminum foil (cut into 6" pieces)
- Craft wire (cut into 1 foot pieces)
- Scissors
- Hole punches
- Rulers
- Markers
- Books (for testing)
- Stopwatches
Subjects
-
Engineering and Technology
-
Engineering
- Architectural Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Metallurgy and Materials Engineering
-
Technology
- Manufacturing
- Construction
-
Engineering
-
Physical Sciences
-
Motion and Forces
- Gravity
-
Structure and Properties of Matter
- Mass and Weight
-
Motion and Forces
-
The Nature of Technology
-
The Design Process
- Research and Development
- Invention and Innovation
- Problem Solving
- Troubleshooting and Maintenance
-
The Design Process
Informal Categories
- Financial Literacy
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- read
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves teamwork and communication skills
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
Components that are part of this resource:
Includes alignment to state and/or national standards:
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
Rights:
- All rights reserved, IEEE,