DIY
STEM Activities
See all STEM Activities Quick & Easy Experiments Captivating Chemistry Experiments Exciting Electronics & Robotics Engaging Engineering & Building Marvelous Mechanics & Motion Amazing Anatomy & Biology Thrilling Toy & Game Design Marvelous Maths
Artistic Adventures
See all Artistic Adventures Quick & Easy Craft Activities Creative Recyclables Playful & Practical Projects Jewelry & Fashion Creations Custom Cards & Gifts
Playful Learning
See all Playful Learning Exciting Fun & Games Hands-on Learning Sound & Music Pretend Play
The Recipe Repository
See all in The Recipe Repository Kitchen science Food Fun Savory & Sweet Snacks Treats & Dessert Kid-Friendly Cooking
Nature Explorations
See all Nature Explorations Animals & Bugs Plants & Rocks Seasons & Weather Revolutionary Rainbows Outdoor Adventures Space Exploration
Shop Now

Build a Tower Crane: A STEM Challenge!

PDF icon Save PDF

October 07, 2024 / DIY / STEM Activities / Engaging Engineering Building / Ages 9 - 12 / Stem Tower Crane

Have you ever seen a crane? These tall cranes, usually seen on large construction sites, can lift very heavy loads. Want to know how they work? Make this amazing cardboard crane yourself, and you'll learn about the science and engineering principles behind them, as well as how to move and place heavy objects precisely.

  • Age: 9-12
  • Time: Over 2 hours
  • Mess Level: Messy

Materials Needed:

  • Two cups
  • Small bucket
  • Paper tape
  • Several small balls
  • Plastic bottle
  • White glue
  • Ruler
  • Yarn
  • Toothpicks
  • Pencil
  • Scissors
  • Wooden sticks
  • Clay
  • Acrylic paint
  • Paintbrush
  • Cardboard
A flatlay shows various craft materials on a pale blue surface, including a plastic bottle, cardboard, paint, paper cups, tape, glue, toothpicks, and other small items, arranged for a STEM project.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Cut the cardboard as shown in the diagram below. The drawn shape will become one side of the crane's jib.
    2. Two pieces of cardboard, marked with measurements in centimetres, are shown alongside a ruler, pencil, and scissors on a pale blue surface, ready for cutting.
  2. As shown in the diagram below, draw dots at regular intervals along the edges, adding a dot in the middle of the rectangular part.
    3. Two hands use a pencil and ruler to mark points on a piece of cardboard on a pale blue surface, preparing it for cutting.
  3. Push toothpicks through each small dot, with clay underneath the cardboard to protect the table and your fingers.
    4. A hand carefully inserts toothpicks into a piece of cardboard resting on a yellow blob of modelling clay on a pale blue surface.

    Before adding glue, the friction between the toothpicks and cardboard will hold the toothpicks in place.

    Two hands hold a section of cardboard structure, with toothpicks inserted vertically between two layers, against a pale blue background.
  4. Apply white glue to the tips of the toothpicks, doing one side first and waiting for the glue to dry before doing the other side.
    5. A hand applies white glue to a cardboard structure with toothpicks inserted, on a pale blue surface.
  5. Cut out corresponding areas of cardboard to make the base of the triangular sail.
    6. A piece of cardboard, with toothpicks glued between two layers, is shown next to a smaller piece of cardboard and a ruler, pencil and scissors on a pale blue surface.
  6. Turn the triangular sail upside down, apply glue to the short horizontal edge, press the rectangular cardboard in the appropriate position, and wait for the glue to dry.
    7. A cardboard structure, resembling a crane arm, with toothpicks glued into place, sits on a pale blue surface.
  7. Use clay to form small balls covering both ends of each toothpick to ensure no sharp points protrude from the triangular sail.
    8. A hand adds small yellow modelling clay balls to a cardboard crane structure, already fitted with toothpicks, on a light blue surface.
  8. Make the crane's handle by drawing and cutting out two circular pieces using a bottle cap. Use a wooden stick to poke a hole in each circular piece, with an extra hole on the edge of one of the circular pieces.
    9. A white bottle top and two circles of cardboard are arranged on a pale blue surface next to a pair of black scissors.
  9. Cut out 8cm and 12cm wooden sticks, score with a pencil, then cut.
    10. A hand uses a pencil to mark a 12cm length on a wooden stick, next to a ruler and two small cardboard circles, on a pale blue surface.
  10. Insert the two wooden sticks into the circular piece with two holes, with the shorter stick going into the side hole.
    11. Two hands carefully attach a small wooden stick through the centre of a cardboard circle on a pale blue surface.
  11. Use white glue to secure the wooden sticks in place. The wooden sticks and cardboard pieces form a device called a crank, which you can use to lift loads.
    12. A hand applies glue to a cardboard circle attached to a wooden stick on a pale blue surface.
  12. Push the long wooden stick through the hole in the middle of the triangular sail's rectangular part, coming out the other side. Glue the second cardboard circle to the other end of the wooden stick.
    13. Two hands attach a small cardboard piece to a larger cardboard structure, which includes toothpicks and yellow modelling clay balls, on a pale blue background.
  13. Use acrylic paint to decorate your crane.
    14. A hand holds a cardboard crane arm, already partially painted orange, whilst another hand uses a brush to add more orange paint, against a pale blue background.
  14. Turn the triangular sail upside down and glue the bottom of one of the cups to the base. Wait for the glue to dry.
    15. A hand applies glue to secure an orange paper cup to a painted red cardboard crane structure on a pale blue surface.
  15. Make two thick clay slabs and clamp them onto the toothpicks at the back of the triangular sail.
    16. Two hands place small balls of grey modelling clay into a section of a red painted cardboard crane structure, supported by toothpicks, above an orange cup.
  16. Next, cut a piece of yarn, tie one end to the middle wooden stick and thread it through from the right side.
    17. Two hands add a length of yellow elastic to a red painted cardboard crane model, which includes toothpicks and a grey modelling clay weight, on a pale blue surface.
  17. Fill the plastic bottle with water to prevent the crane from tipping over. Real cranes are anchored to heavy concrete bases for stability; your model's heavy base does the same job.
    18. A hand pours water from a glass into an orange plastic bottle on a pale blue background.
  18. Use paper tape to secure the second cup to the plastic bottle.
    19. A hand uses orange tape to secure a white paper cup to an orange plastic bottle on a pale blue surface.
  19. Place marbles inside the edge of the upturned cup base, ensuring there's enough space for the marbles to move slightly. The marbles will act as bearings in the machine, allowing other parts to rotate freely.
    20. A hand adds a yellow sweet to a group of similarly-sized sweets in various colours, arranged in a white cup on a pale blue background.
  20. Mount the crane's jib on the tower by fitting the cardboard over the plastic bottle below.
    21. A hand lifts a painted orange paper cup from a cardboard crane mechanism, revealing sweets inside a smaller cup below, against a pale blue background.
  21. Finally, connect the small container bucket with the cargo inside to the yarn.
    22. Two hands wrap orange yarn around the handle of a small plastic bucket on a pale blue surface.
  22. Raise or lower it by turning the handle.
    23. A hand operates a small, painted red cardboard crane, lifting a bucket containing translucent green objects via an orange string, against a pale blue background.

The Science Behind It:

Tower cranes can lift enormous loads without toppling because they can control torque. Torque is the rotational force produced by the crane's jib, and its magnitude is related to the position and weight of the load. The further the load is from the tower, the greater the torque, because torque equals the load weight multiplied by the distance of the load from the tower. To balance these torques, the tower crane's ground anchoring system (such as counterweights) counteracts these moments, ensuring the crane's stability. When lifting larger loads, the load is kept close to the tower, while smaller loads can be lifted at greater distances.

Test how much weight your crane can lift without tipping over. Try adjusting the distance of the rope from the tower and see how it affects the weight the crane can lift. What happens if you adjust the crank handle wheel, making it larger and allowing it to move in a bigger circle? See what changes occur when you increase or decrease the weight of the counterbalance.

Menu

Info

Facebook Instagram Youtube
VISA
Master Card
American Express
Union Pay
Discover Card

© Tinkerer 2024