Under Pressure

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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.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Learning Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
1 cent - $1 per student
Age Range:
Ages 6 - 11
Resource Type:
Activity
Language:
English, Spanish

Materials List (per student)

  • A few sheets of paper
  • Heavy book (e.g., a phone book, textbook, or binder)
  • Ruler
  • Scissors
  • Tape

Keywords

Subjects

  • Engineering and Technology
    • Engineering
      • Architectural Engineering
      • Civil Engineering
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations
  • The Nature of Technology
    • The Design Process
      • Problem Solving
      • Troubleshooting and Maintenance

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:

Funding Sources:

  • National Science Foundation, 0610406
  • Public television viewers
  • Arby's
  • Greendog