Tall Towers

Physics students use manilla folders and tape

Bruce Howard on October 09, 2015

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Physics students at Clarendon High School just finished a project where they attempted to make the tallest free-standing tower possible from one sheet of manila folder and a foot of clear tape.  Students were frustrated at first in their attempts as they began to ponder building a stable base for their tower and discovered principles of balance, but after a few practice structures they improved dramatically.  In the contest Berkeley Alexander and Sterling King were the winners with a tower standing an incredible 209 cm (6 ft 10 inches) tall.  Bryce Grahn and Chance Lockhart were a close second place, with a tower 6 ft 8 inches tall.  Three fourths  of  the  towers  were at least 4 feet tall.  Considering students only had 94 square inches of paper to work with, their accomplishments were all the more impressive. Next six weeks students will be making and launching model rockets.