Design Projects Database

Index Card Tower

Project Description

For this project, students are given a pack of 100 3x5 index cards and are asked to build the tallest possible tower that holds a specified object, such as a required course textbook. The cards may be held together using standard staples, but the staples may not be used as structural elements.

Hand out the rules and the index cards at the end of a class period, and give students two to three days to complete the towers. When the towers are due, hold an official showing where the height is measured. In case of a non- rigid textbook, measure the distance from the ground to the lowest point of the text, not the highest point of the tower. Other rules:

• Base of tower must be no larger than an 18 inch square.
• Tower may not be fastened to the floor.
• Tower must be safe; no exposed staple points.
• Tower must be movable and able to withstand repeated loading.
• Students will load their own towers.
• Students may hold the towers during loading, but during measuring they must not be touching towers, though they may catch the book if it falls.
• Heights are rounded to the nearest inch.
• Students must be able to clean up tower quickly, leaving no visible changes in the room.

Encourage students to think creatively and use time wisely. They should test the towers before they are due, and may even want to go through multiple iterations. The final tower should be well built. Remind students to think about transportation and set-up. They may have to carry their towers to class through rain, wind, or snow.

Materials

• One pack of index cards per student or team (not reusable)
• Staples (may require students to use their own) (not reusable)
• Stapler (may require students to use their own)

Instructor Time

This activity requires little instructor time. The day the project is assigned, make sure to have enough index card packs and assignment sheets. If the class is large, consider the logistics of getting materials to all students or groups. On the day towers are due, be sure to have a clock, timer, or stopwatch to ensure quick tower set up and clean up, enough tape measures for all course staff, and a small prize for the winning tower. To make the measuring more efficient, have students fill out one index card with their names in advance; as each tower is measured, record the height on the card and collect it for grading purposes. Grades should be based on fulfillment of design criteria as well as height, construction, and creativity.

Variations

This project is appropriate for the following variations (most are described in the section how to make design projects more meaningful):

• Individual or group work
• Over the wall
• Reflections
• Redesign
• In Class

Project Source

This project was received from Will Durfee at the University of Minnesota Department of Mechanical Engineering, and was assigned to students in ME1010:Introduction to Engineering I.

Additional Information

• Original Assignment Sheet
• Reflection Assignment Sheet

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