Objective: Design and construct a 4-story tower that will withstand a high-magnitude earthquake.

Phase I - Draw your own design idea and suggest people you would like to work with on this project.

  • Including triangles in your design will make it stronger
  • The squares on the template represent the width of the wood sticks
  • You will be limited on supplies
  • The tower is 4 inches square and 15 inches tall
  • You will be allowed up to 36 feet of balsa wood to complete the tower
  • The template includes the basic frame of the tower and shows the locations of the 4 steel load plates to be built in.
  • Your drawn design should focus on strengthening the tower frame and supporting the weight of the load plates.

Download a copy of the template

Phase II - Meet with team & decide on a design, then prepare 2 full-size templates and building boards.

Picture
Draw design
Picture
Attach to building board and cover in wax paper.
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(Back of building board)

Now you're ready to start construction!
Go to Phase III