Created byKristin Walrath

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Paper Cup Tower Challenge

Grade 1Science1 days

The 'Paper Cup Tower Challenge' is a project-based learning activity designed for first-grade students to explore engineering concepts using basic materials like paper cups. Through designing and building structures, students investigate how different shapes and configurations can enhance material strength, enabling the structures to support significant weight. The project incorporates experimentation and data analysis, encouraging students to hypothesize, test, and reflect on how engineering principles such as balance and distribution impact the resilience and functionality of their designs.

EngineeringStructure DesignMaterial StrengthBalanceDistributionExperimentationData Analysis

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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we design a structure using paper cups that can support the weight of a person, and what does this teach us about strength and engineering?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

How can we make something strong using materials that are usually weak?
What happens to the strength of materials when we use them together?
Why are some things strong and others not?
How do engineers design structures to support a lot of weight?
What is the role of balance and distribution in making things strong?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Students will understand how material strength can be increased by changing the structure or shape of the materials.
Students will learn how to design and build a simple structure to solve a problem using basic engineering principles.
Students will explore the concepts of balance and distribution in the context of engineering and material science.

NGSS - Next Generation Science Standards

K-2-ETS1-2

Primary

Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem.Reason: The project involves designing and building a structure with paper cups to hold a person's weight, illustrating how shapes and distribution affect strength.

K-2-ETS1-3

Secondary

Analyze data from tests of two objects designed to solve the same problem to compare the strengths and weaknesses of how each performs.Reason: Students will compare different structures built from paper cups to determine which design supports more weight, analyzing strengths and weaknesses.

1-PS4-4

Primary

Use tools and materials to design and build a device that solves a specific problem or a solution to a specific problem.Reason: Students use materials (paper cups) to solve the problem of supporting a person's weight, aligning with building a device for a solution.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Cup Strength Test

Start with a live demonstration where a single paper cup collapses under the weight of a textbook, sparking questions about strength. Transition to discussing how multiple cups might change the outcome, challenging students to predict and experiment with configurations that could support a weight.

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Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.

Activity 1

Cup Architect Challenge

In this activity, students will design and sketch their own structure using paper cups to explore how changing shapes can increase strength. They will learn basic design principles by drawing different configurations on paper before building them.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Introduce the concept of strength through design by showing shapes like triangles, squares, and rectangles.

2. Students pick a shape they want to use for their cup structure.

3. Each student sketches a simple structure design using the chosen shape and paper cups.

4. Discuss as a class how these shapes might support weight differently.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA simple sketch of a paper cup structure using different shapes to predict strength.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsK-2-ETS1-2 (Develop a simple sketch to illustrate how shape contributes to function)

Activity 2

Weight-Test Experimenters

Students will test their paper cup structures to determine how much weight each configuration can support, comparing their predictions with actual results. This exercise emphasizes experimentation and observation skills.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Gather materials: paper cups and weights (e.g., textbooks or small dumbbells).

2. Build the structures according to students' sketches.

3. Carefully begin testing by adding weight to each structure until it collapses.

4. Record how much weight each structure held before collapsing.

5. Discuss findings and compare them to initial predictions.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA data sheet documenting the weight each structure held before collapsing.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsK-2-ETS1-3 (Analyze data from tests of two objects to compare strengths and weaknesses)

Activity 3

Engineering Insights Reflection

Students will reflect on their learning experience, connecting their findings to real-world engineering and discussing what makes structures strong. This activity encourages critical thinking about balance and distribution of weight.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Review the data collected during the weight-test experiments.

2. Engage in a class discussion about which design was strongest and why.

3. Introduce examples of real-world structures that use similar principles (e.g., bridges, buildings).

4. Write a short reflection on what design ideas they would try next time to improve strength.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA written reflection essay on engineering principles and design improvements.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standards1-PS4-4 (Use materials to design and build a device to solve a problem)

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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Paper Cup Structure Mastery Rubric

Category 1

Design and Sketching Skills

Assesses the ability to plan and sketch a cup structure using different shapes to predict strength.

Criterion 1

Design Creativity

Measures the originality and creativity in design choices and use of shapes.

Exemplary

4 Points

Design is highly creative, demonstrating innovative use of shapes, showing clear understanding of strength principles.

Proficient

3 Points

Design is creative and uses shapes effectively to show understanding of strength principles.

Developing

2 Points

Design shows basic creativity with some understanding of shape use for strength.

Beginning

1 Points

Design lacks creativity and shows little understanding of how shapes affect strength.

Criterion 2

Sketch Clarity

Evaluates clarity and detail in sketches illustrating the structural design.

Exemplary

4 Points

Sketches are clear, detailed, and accurately represent design ideas with perfect shape depiction.

Proficient

3 Points

Sketches are clear and detailed, adequately representing design ideas with proper shape depiction.

Developing

2 Points

Sketches are somewhat clear but lack sufficient detail in representing design ideas.

Beginning

1 Points

Sketches are unclear with very little or no detail, barely representing design ideas.

Category 2

Experimental Execution

Assesses how well students build and test their structures, including the accuracy of their data recording.

Criterion 1

Construction Accuracy

Measures the precision and sturdiness of the constructed structure based on the design sketch.

Exemplary

4 Points

Structure is built with high precision, perfectly aligning with the design sketch and demonstrating strong structural integrity.

Proficient

3 Points

Structure is accurately built with minor deviations from the design sketch, demonstrating good integrity.

Developing

2 Points

Structure shows some inaccuracy from the design sketch with noticeable integrity issues.

Beginning

1 Points

Structure is inaccurately built with significant deviations from the design sketch, lacking integrity.

Criterion 2

Data Recording and Analysis

Evaluates the accuracy and thoroughness in recording and analyzing experimental data regarding weight tests.

Exemplary

4 Points

Data recorded is highly accurate and thorough, with comprehensive analysis and insights drawn.

Proficient

3 Points

Data recorded is accurate and analyzed, with clear insights into strengths and weaknesses.

Developing

2 Points

Data recording is somewhat accurate with basic analysis and insights drawn.

Beginning

1 Points

Data recording is inaccurate or incomplete with minimal analysis.

Category 3

Reflection and Understanding

Assesses students' reflective and analytical skills regarding their design process and future improvements.

Criterion 1

Critical Reflection

Measures the depth of reflection on design process and potential improvements.

Exemplary

4 Points

Reflection is insightful, highly analytical, and suggests innovative improvements for future designs.

Proficient

3 Points

Reflection is detailed, analytical, and suggests feasible improvements for future designs.

Developing

2 Points

Reflection shows basic analysis with some suggestions for improvement.

Beginning

1 Points

Reflection lacks depth, offering minimal analysis and suggestions for improvement.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning

Question 1

What was the most surprising thing you discovered about the strength of the paper cup structures during this project?

Text

Required

Question 2

On a scale from 1 to 5, how confident do you feel about designing a strong structure using simple materials after completing this project?

Scale

Required

Question 3

Which shape did you use for your paper cup structure, and how did it influence the strength?

Text

Required

Question 4

How did your actual test results compare to your predictions about how much weight each structure could support?

Text

Required

Question 5

Which engineering principle do you think was most important in your design, and why?

Multiple choice

Required

Options

Balance

Distribution

Shape

Materials