Paper Columns
Renee Allen Louis Wirth Experimental
4959 S Blackstone
Chicago IL 60615
(312)535-1410
Objectives:
(Eighth Grade Level)
1. Students will learn that the principles of mathematics and physics
are used in building.
2. Students will learn how to change:
(A) ounces to pounds
(B) ounces to grams
3. Students will learn the importance of columns when used in con-
struction.
Materials:
books - 40 or more (paperbacks) Same dimensions
graph paper
pencils (#2)
plain paper (21cm X 28cm)
Strategy:
1. Divide students in groups of three or four.
2. Place two sheets of plain paper (no holes), a stack of books, and a
meter stick or a ruler with metric units with each group.
3. Each group should construct two columns not shorter than ll cm. These
columns should be constructed to support the paperback books.
4. When students are ready to test their columns, teacher or assistant
will watch as students place one book at a time on columns. (Example..
..If columns fall with the 5th book, then credit is given for columns
supporting four books.)
5. Each group should know the MASS of one book in grams. Then each student
should compute the MASS of books supported by the columns. It also might
be interesting to convert the total MASS to ounces.(28.35g.=1 oz.)
6 Put each group's support MASS on the board, and have students make
a line graph of all the support MASS.
Note: Each paper column should be made with one sheet of plain paper.
and no tape, pins, or etc. should be used.
Performance Assessment:
Students should be able to write out a conclusion that the shorter or
reinforced (folded paper..double thickness) paper columns will support
more MASS.
Extensions:
Art- drawing columns.................
LA- Writing papers on columns..............
Social Studies/Multi Cultural - Studying history of columns in different
cultures..........
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