Grouping: Teams or pairs
Take-home: Photo/design record; cans reused
Key ideas: Stability, base width, center of mass, structural patterns, constraints.
Start with: Compare a wide-base and narrow-base stack before students build.
Success check: Tallest free-standing tower that remains up for 10 seconds using the same number/type of cans.
Try changing: Base footprint; overlap; symmetry; repeating patterns.
Preparation: Collect and clean cans; remove sharp lids/edges; mark equal sets for teams.
Lesson flow: Day 1: Demo stable/unstable stacks → teams plan → build → measure → quick redesign
Video:
Tallest Tower: 2021 Engineering Challenge
Safety and cleanup: Use only cans with smooth, safe edges; towers stay below face height; clear floor before teardown.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJr2DJRKy5c