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
    ​(16 feet to build the frame; 20 feet to add your design)
  • 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.
Picture
(Back of building board)

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