ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain

Mighty Tower: Can you build a tower out of newspaper?


Basketball, soccer ball, or other similar object
Newspaper
Tape & scissors

 You’ll have to explore geometry and figure out which shapes are the strongest as you build your tower. You’ll also have to figure out how to use newspapers – which we don’t normally think of as strong building material – to construct a sturdy tower.

 Try an even heavier object. Or, change your goal to building the tallest tower! Can you build a tower that can withstand wind from a fan?

 Design a newspaper tower that can keep a basketball off the ground. It should be able to hold the basketball up for at least 10 seconds.

 What shapes will help your tower withstand the weight of a basketball? How will you attach the different elements of your tower?

 Does your tower stand on its own? Can it support the weight of a basketball?

 Your Design: Where does your tower need support?

Mighty Tower

Introduction to the Engineering Design Process 

Make a Maze

Can you build a tool to pick up a ping pong ball using only one hand?

The Scoop

Can you design a cart that can carry a metal spoon down a zipline?

Down the Zipline

Can you design a container that keeps your crash test object safe?

Survive the Stairs

Can you change the shape of tin foil to make it float?

Float Your Boat

Can you create your own rocket launching station and an awesome aircraft to go with it?

Rocket Launch 

Can you design a fish that doesn’t sink or float to the surface?

Build a Fish

Can you design a contraption that launches a pom pom all the way across the room? 

Launch, Fling, Fly

Can you design a sail that harnesses the power of wind to move your cardboard boat?

Sail Away

Can you create a marble run that takes a marble more than 15 seconds to complete?

Slow Marbles

You can try these engineering design challenges with materials you might already have! The goal is to get you thinking like an engineer with problem-solving and having some hands-on, learning fun. Each challenge has a list of suggested materials, background science concepts, and some options to extend the challenge. We also walk you through the steps of the Engineering Design Process (define the problem, plan a solution, create a prototype, test your design, and improve your creation) with guiding questions to help along the way.

Resource Kits

Object Library

Museums

Engineer It! at home

Mighty Tower