Architectural STEM Activity #5 | Which Shape is Strongest?

Create 3D tube towers using construction paper & tape. Compare the strength of a circle, triangle, square, & hexagon to see which one can hold the most weight.

M AT E R I A L S

• Construction Paper • Tape

V O C A B U L A R Y

For Activity #5, you will create four tubed towers by folding sheets of construction paper into different shapes.

The shapes below are what you will be testing out for your tube towers:

I N S T R U C T I O N S

Use the templates below as a guide for how to fold/create each tube tower.

Step 2: Tape the edges of your folded paper to create a tube tower for each shape.

Step 3: Test out the strength of each shape by placing objects, such as books, on top of each tube to see what shape can hold the most weight.

C H A L L E N G E

Which shape is the strongest? Post a photo of your creations using the hashtag #BuildWithBreaux. Be sure to also identify the name of your elementary school. Each post using this hashtag will serve as an entry for your elementary school to win a 3D Printer.