Towers - Logistics
Time
At least 2 hours to build structures and 5 minutes to test each one.
Grouping
Groups of 2-4 students.
Materials
Each group of students needs:
- 1 cardboard base (approximately 25 cm by 25 cm)
- 30 straws
- 100 paper clips (one box)
- 20 straight pins
- 2 meters of string
The class needs:
- 10-20 sandbags consisting of 250 grams sand in a sandwich sized ziplock bag. The bag should be taped into a sausage shaped cylinder for rigidity and ease of mounting onto the towers.
- 1 earthquake tower testing platform with a movable platform connected to a rigid frame by rubber bands, springs, or a motor. Several designs may be found in the Sources section.
- 4 large binder clips to secure the cardboard bases to the shake table platform.
Setting
Classroom