Lesson Idea | Strong As Newspaper

This lesson introduces students to the principles of engineering and design by exploring how material strength and structure shape affect load-bearing capacity. Designed for elementary and middle school students, it guides learners to build triangular pyramids from rolled newspaper tubes and test how much weight their structures can support. Through hands-on experimentation and discussion, students discover why triangles are commonly used in architecture and engineering for strength and stability. The two-session activity integrates science, math, and design thinking while encouraging creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork.

Next Generation Science Standards

• ETS1.A: Defining and Delimiting an Engineering Problem
○ Possible solutions to a problem are limited by available materials and resources (constraints). The success of a designed solution is determined by considering the desired features of a solution (criteria). Different proposals for solutions can be compared on the basis of how well each one meets the specified criteria
for success or how well each takes the constraints into account. (3-5-ETS1-1) (secondary to 4-PS3-4)
• ETS1.B: Developing Possible Solutions
○ Tests are often designed to identify failure points or difficulties, which suggest the elements of the design that need to be improved. (3-5-ETS1-3)
○ Testing a solution involves investigating how well it performs under a range of likely conditions. (secondary to 4-ESS3-2)
• ETS1.C: Optimizing the Design Solution
○ Different solutions need to be tested in order to determine which of them best solves the problem, given the criteria and the constraints. (3-5-ETS1-3) (secondary to 4-PS4-3)

For further information, please visit Young Scientist Lab website.