Balancing Act!

Activity Five

Introduction

What can we as engineers make with everyday materials found at home?

Let’s create a simple shape we can use to create a structure that can get taller and balance a small object, like a cookie!

By the end of this activity, and some parental assistance, you will have a bunch of folded shapes that can be used to make other structures and patterns!

Activity

In this activity, you will construct a complex structure using simple geometric shapes using construction paper.

What other types of geometric shapes can you fold? How do they hold up compared to triangles?

Materials

  • Construction Paper
  • Tape
  • Scissors
  • Ruler

Instructions

Step 1

Cut color construction paper in half

Step 2

Fold each strip into thirds so it makes a triangle

Step 3

Tape the triangles down and repeat each step

Step 4

Stack the triangles, each layer using a spare strip of construction paper to continue stacking

Reflection

Click here to download reflection sheet