Bridge Building with Paper

Engineer a paper bridge that holds the most coins by experimenting with folds and trusses.

Materials

• Printer paper
• Two stacks of books (supports)
• Coins or washers
• Tape (optional)

Steps

1. Span paper across books 15–20 cm apart.
2. Test flat vs. folded (corrugation) designs.
3. Add simple truss shapes; record the number of coins before failure.

What’s happening (the science)

• Corrugation increases moment of inertia, resisting bending.
• Triangles distribute loads efficiently — key to trusses.

Safety & cleanup

• Keep feet clear in case coins fall.
• No standing on chairs without adult supervision.

Tip: Extend this activity by asking students to measure, graph, or compare versions (e.g., different designs or variables).