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Planning emphasizes experimentation with joint techniques, oriented loading in both vertical and horizontal directions, and discussion of failure points to translate successful design strategies into a taller structure.",{"@graph":14,"@context":72},[15,34,55],{"@type":16,"itemListElement":17},"BreadcrumbList",[18,23,27,31],{"item":19,"name":20,"@type":21,"position":22},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",1,{"item":24,"name":25,"@type":21,"position":26},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/","Document",2,{"item":28,"name":29,"@type":21,"position":30},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/lifestyle/","Lifestyle",3,{"item":32,"name":10,"@type":21,"position":33},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/recess-exercises-paper-tower-exercise-4-structural-concepts-of-tension-and-compression/662585/",4,{"url":32,"name":10,"@type":35,"image":36,"author":41,"headline":10,"publisher":44,"fileFormat":47,"inLanguage":8,"description":12,"dateModified":48,"datePublished":49,"encodingFormat":47,"isAccessibleForFree":50,"interactionStatistic":51},"DigitalDocument",{"url":37,"@type":38,"width":39,"height":40},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/recess-exercises-paper-tower-exercise-4-structural-concepts-of-tension-and-compression/662585.png","ImageObject",300,407,{"name":42,"@type":43},"vwvw","Person",{"url":19,"name":45,"@type":46},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-29","2026-10-28",true,{"@type":52,"interactionType":53,"userInteractionCount":22},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":54},"ViewAction",{"@type":56,"mainEntity":57},"FAQPage",[58,64,68],{"name":59,"@type":60,"acceptedAnswer":61},"What is the goal of the Paper Tower exercise?","Question",{"text":62,"@type":63},"The exercise introduces structural concepts of tension and compression. Students investigate geometric module properties, test them, and then use the modules to build a paper tower.","Answer",{"name":65,"@type":60,"acceptedAnswer":66},"How do students test the strength of the paper modules?",{"text":67,"@type":63},"Students apply loads in both vertical and horizontal orientations and observe where modules fail. They relate failures to tensile and compressive forces.",{"name":69,"@type":60,"acceptedAnswer":70},"What should facilitators focus on during Part II (Tower)?",{"text":71,"@type":63},"Facilitators support each team in aggregating modules, planning connections, and assembling materials carefully. 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Students will investigate the structural properties of geometric modules. Once tested and evaluated, students will work in teams to use these modules to construct a paper tower. |\n| --- |\n| 08 Object House\u003Cbr>This exercise is an introduction to the ways in which visual and verbal communication are utilized through the design of the built environment. Students will explore the concepts of visual and verbal communication by designing and producing conventional drawings for a conceptual house. |\n| 13 Spatial Planning\u003Cbr>This exercise will challenge students to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative components of space. The focus on scale will build upon the previous exercises of structure and communication while allowing students to understand the ways in which architectural planning relates to real space. |\n| 18 Community City\u003Cbr>Cities are made up of communities. In this exercise, students will work independently to develop a community plan, then aggregate their plans together to create a larger design for a city. Students will gain an understanding of the elements of the built environment which make up a community, and how communities are connected to form a city. |\n\n22 Learning Park  \nThis exercise will focus on the environment. The environment encompasses everything around us, including built components, the global climate, the context of local conditions, and our immediate landscape. This exercise will allow students to design a small park with a solar classroom to consider how architecture may respond to the environment.  \nExercise 1  \nPaper Tower  \nSummary  \nThis exercise is an introduction to the structural concepts of tension and compression. Students will investigate the structural properties of geometric modules. Once evaluated, students will work in teams to use these modules to construct a paper tower.  \nExercise Set Up  \nGeometry diagrams  \nSlit joint design  \nPaper tower, MJW Architecture  \nKey Terms  \n\n| Arch | A curved structure that serves as a support |\n| --- | --- |\n| Column | A vertical supporting member |\n| Compression | The application of pressure against an object |\n| Gravity | The force which pulls things to the Earth |\n| Horizontal | Parallel to the plane of the horizon |\n| Load | A weight borne by structural members |\n| Structure | Something that is constructed |\n| Tension | A pulling force that pulls on a material |\n| Vertical | Perpendicular to the plane of the horizon |\n| Exercise Organization |  |\n\nTime  \n 60 minutes  \nSpace requirements  \nOne room with open space for students and facilitators to move around in. There should be tables for students to work on.  \nFacilitator requirements  \n1-2 facilitators per group of students. It is recommended that students work in groups of no more than five.  \n– Facilitators should review the lesson ahead of time and be familiar with the structural concepts discussed.  \nMaterials  \n– Letter-sized, multi-colored paper (50 pages per group)  \n– Scotch tape (1 per group)  \n– Glue sticks (1 per group)  \n– Scissors  \nPreparation  \nStudents will form teams of five. Facilitators will distribute the appropriate amount of materials as listed above to each group of students.  \nPaper Tower Activity 5  \nKey Terms  \nHorizontal Vertical Loads Connections  \nModule Geometries  \nPrism  \nStudents build modules  \nModules are tested  \nPart I: Modules  \nProcedure  \nSummary  \nPart I will allow students to experiment with structural principles. Students will construct paper modules based on the geometry diagrams (left) . Once the modules are complete, students will apply loads to the modules in vertical and horizontal orientations. The objective is to deve","cbCail1MuNun7nPX","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCail1MuNun7nPX","pdf",4432714,25,"English","# Exercise Order\n# Paper Tower\n## Summary\n## Exercise Setup\n## Key Terms\n## Time, Space, Materials\n## Preparation\n# Paper Tower Activity 5\n## Part I: Modules\n## Procedure\n## Discuss\n# Paper Tower Activity 6\n## Part II: Tower","[{\"question\":\"What is the goal of the Paper Tower exercise?\",\"answer\":\"The exercise introduces structural concepts of tension and compression. Students investigate geometric module properties, test them, and then use the modules to build a paper tower.\"},{\"question\":\"How do students test the strength of the paper modules?\",\"answer\":\"Students apply loads in both vertical and horizontal orientations and observe where modules fail. They relate failures to tensile and compressive forces.\"},{\"question\":\"What should facilitators focus on during Part II (Tower)?\",\"answer\":\"Facilitators support each team in aggregating modules, planning connections, and assembling materials carefully. They also encourage strategies to maximize tower height within the allotted time.\"}]","Recess Exercises - Paper Tower - Exercise 4 - Structural Concepts of Tension and Compression | PDF",39]