The Paper Span Challenge: Engineering Guidelines and Testing Protocol
Activity Overview and Objective
Welcome to the Paper Span Challenge. In this design investigation, your team of three or four will act as structural engineers tasked with solving an infrastructure dilemma under tight resource constraints. Your primary goal is to design, construct, and iteratively test a free-standing bridge that spans a gap between two classroom desks. The bridge must support the greatest possible static load while using only the materials provided.
Successful engineering relies on smart geometry, disciplined collaboration, and precise documentation. Before touching any building supplies, read these guidelines completely so that your team understands the project boundaries, official rules, and testing standards.
Material Allocations
To ensure fair competition across all working groups, every team receives an identical kit of supplies. No replacement materials will be issued for damaged or misused items, so plan your cuts and folds thoughtfully.
- Cardstock: 10 sheets of standard white 65-pound cardstock (8.5 x 11 inches).
- Masking Tape: Exactly 2 meters of 0.75-inch masking tape, pre-measured on wax paper backing.
- Tools (Must not become part of the structure): One pair of classroom scissors, one 30-centimeter ruler, and one standard pencil.
- Testing Apparatus: One plastic specimen cup (6-ounce capacity) and a supply of steel washers (approximate mass of 10 grams each).
- constraints:
- Limitations or restrictions that engineers must work within during a design task.
- iteratively:
- Repeating a sequence of steps or tests to make continuous improvements.
- static load:
- A stationary force or weight resting upon a structure over time.
- clearance:
- The distance or open space maintained between two surfaces or objects.
- deflecting:
- Bending, sagging, or turning aside from an original position under stress.
- shear:
- To break or fracture from parallel internal forces sliding past each other.
- corrugated:
- Shaped into alternating parallel ridges and grooves to increase rigidity.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What is the primary objective of the Paper Span Challenge?
- 2Why are teams prohibited from taping or anchoring the bridge to the desks?
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About this instructions passage for 8th Grade
“The Paper Span Challenge: Engineering Guidelines and Testing Protocol” is a instructions reading passage about engineering design challenge, written for 8th Grade. It takes about 6 minutes to read (892 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.