PAPER TOWER CONTEST
Teams of 2 or 3, Middle School through High School
OVERVIEW: To build the tallest free-standing tower possible from a single sheet of
paper.
MATERIALS: All materials supplied by the teacher.
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one piece of 8 1/2 x 11-inch paper
one piece of 1/2 -inch x 1-foot scotch tape or masking tape
scissors
ruler
pencil
RULES:
1. Each tower must be constructed from the paper and tape supplied by the teacher.
No other materials or substitutions are allowed.
2. Contestants have a 45-minute period in which to construct their towers. Any
modifications made to tower after the allotted 45-minute period will disqualify the
tower.
3. Each tower must be free-standing; it must not be attached to, or lean against any
other surface (e.g. floor, wall, desk, etc.)
4. Towers must stand for 15 seconds.
5. Towers, whether standing straight/erect or sagging/curved, will be measured from
base to highest vertical point. Towers that curve or sag may not be straightened
and then measured; they will be measured to the highest vertical point while
sagging or curving.
JUDGING:
1. Towers will be judged only once. In case of a tie, the shorter construction time
will determine the winning team. You must notify the judge when construction of
your tower is completed. Then your tower will be judged and measured.
2. All contestants will start at the same time.
AWARDS:
1. First Place: Tallest tower is completed.
2. Second Place: Next tallest tower.
First Place: Most complete Pre-Plan
Second Place: 2nd Most Complete
Possible Extensions:
Tower must hold some object such as a tennis ball or not use any tape (upper grades)
Include a half of a file folder in the materials or more sheets of paper
TG-Smith 2011
Possible Solutions (minimum of 4)
Sketch and describe possible solutions in the blocks below
Option I
Option II
Option III
Option IV
After discussion, select the best option above or create a “best solution” by taking the
best elements from some of the solutions above and draw a detailed “final” sketch in the
space below. Build your final design and test it.
Final Height ____