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Paper Bridge Science

Stem Activities

Ages: 3-5

Less than 30 minutes

Grownup needed

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Can thin, flexible paper support weight? Through some physical modifications, we can increase paper's load-bearing capacity and make it support surprisingly heavy objects. Let's explore!

Materials Needed

Card paper
Three identical bowls
A cup of water

A flatlay image shows a simple arrangement on a light wood-grained table. A small stack of clear glass bowls, a small clear glass filled with water, and a blank sheet of bright yellow paper are positioned in the frame. The scene suggests preparation for a craft or educational activity.

Step-by-step tutorial

Step 1

Fold the card paper in an accordion pattern as shown.

Two hands hold a piece of bright yellow paper that has been folded into a fan or accordion-like shape. The folds are clearly visible, and the hands gently stretch the paper to display the pleats. The paper rests on a light wood-grained surface. This image likely demonstrates a step in a paper craft or origami project.

Step 2

Place two bowls in a straight line, then put the folded card paper across them. Make sure to leave a gap of one bowl's width between them.

A simple structure is depicted on a light wood-grained table. Two small, clear glass bowls are placed a short distance apart, and a stack of folded yellow paper, resembling a flat, rectangular beam, bridges the gap between them. The bowls appear empty. This image likely represents a basic engineering or physics experiment demonstrating concepts like load-bearing or structural integrity.

Step 3

Next, place the third bowl on top of the card paper.

Three small, clear glass bowls are arranged on a light wood-grained surface. Two of the bowls are placed a short distance apart, and a third bowl is balanced on top of a folded piece of yellow paper that spans the gap between the lower bowls. The yellow paper acts as a bridge or platform. This arrangement likely demonstrates a physics or engineering concept related to weight distribution, balance, or structural strength.

Step 4

Now pour water into the bowl on top of the paper bridge - the bowl won't fall! You can try adding more weight to test how much the paper bridge can support.

A simple balance scale is constructed using a flat, yellow piece of cardboard or wood as the beam. Two small, clear glass bowls serve as the scale pans, placed at either end of the beam. The beam rests on two more small, empty glass bowls placed upside down. A hand pours water from a clear glass into the bowl on one side of the scale. The added water causes that side of the scale to lower, demonstrating the basic principles of weight and balance. The video depicts a simple physics experiment illustrating how a balance scale works.

The Science Behind It:

Folding creates multiple layers in the paper, and these layers stack together to make the paper more rigid and better able to distribute and support pressure. Just like folded boxes or cardboard, the folded paper increases its structural stability to enhance its supporting strength.

Using the same paper, try creating more or fewer folds to test which configuration provides the strongest support. Which works better?

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