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Project challenge:

paper crane

Suggested Ages: 3rd – 5th Grades

Take a load off and lift it up! In this challenge you’ll create a paper crane that can hoist a cup of 12 pennies at least 12” off the ground. You’ll need to BE COURAGEOUS by daring to put your crane to the test even if that means it might break and you might have to redesign.

Engaging Design-It-Yourself projects to inspire young innovators

This is no ordinary DIY project for kids: It’s a step toward becoming an innovator.

 

Every Galileo Design-It-Yourself Challenge teaches the same techniques and mindsets that professional designers an engineers, artists and chefs use in their work. With skills like these, we believe you can change the world.

Get Involved—For Grown Ups

Materials list:

Help your child find these materials or a close substitute: 

 

  • Cardboard (about 10×10”)  for base
  • 5-10 sheets of copy paper
  • Masking tape
  • Scissors
  • 2 paper or plastic cups
  • 1 skinny dowel-like object (pencil, round chopstick, etc.)
  • 5 paper clips
  • At least 20” string

 

Activity GUIDE:

Refer to these steps to keep young innovators on track as they create:

 

1.  Prep one cup to use as the testing weight.

 

2.  Roll paper tubes and attach it to the base to create the crane arm—Support kids with this as necessary (1:05).

 

3.  Add more tubes to support the arm.

 

4.  Test by hanging the testing weight from the arm and adding pennies. Redesign as necessary.

  • Support being courageous—If kids are hesitant to add the full weight, emphasize that if their crane breaks now it’s no big deal and actually helpful! Failed tests in the beginning let innovators learn how to make their designs even stronger.
  • Ask: Where do you notice the crane bending/breaking? How might you support it there?

 

5.  Once successful, create the winch using the cup, string, dowel and paperclips.

  • Support kids with this step as necessary (3:19).
  • Ask: How else might you push the limits of your design? What if you try to make your crane even taller?
  • Ask: How might you make your crane even stronger?

 

More Ideas:

Every project presents opportunities to add your own twists or extensions. Here are some ideas to get you started: 

 

  • Keep leveling up the challenging by trying to make a taller crane that can lift heavier things.
  • Tubes are a great way to create strong structures out of paper. See what else you can build using this technique. How might you build a tall paper tower or a mini paper house?

 

Wrap Up Questions:

Lock in the learning by asking kids these questions about their project and how they practiced the featured Innovator’s Mindset element: 

 

  • What was challenging about making your crane? How did you solve those challenges?
  • How were you courageous while testing your crane? Did you push your design to the limit? What did you learn when you did this?

Share!

The last step in the Gallieo Innovator’s Process is SHARE. Great learning can come from sharing successes and failures—to solidify your own experience as an innovator and to inspire others.

 

SHARE WITH galileo

 

Share a photo or video of you operating your paper crane with the Camp Galileo Anywhere Facebook Community.

 

Share with family and friends

 

Your innovation doesn’t stop with you. Inspire someone else by sharing your project challenge—maybe they’ll try it themselves or maybe your project will give them a new idea.

 

  • Who: someone in your house, a family member, a friend
  • How: in person, on the phone, online
  • When: anytime, starting now!