Background
Engineering Context
After a hurricane, a temporary communications antenna must be raised above nearby debris. The emergency team has limited materials and needs a structure that is tall, stable, and quick to deploy.
IED Unit 0 | Mission Brief 0.3
Emergency Communications Tower
Build the tallest free-standing paper tower that supports a 200 g payload for 30 seconds.
Objectives
What You Will Practice
- Apply structural design principles
- Plan within strict material limits
- Test and improve a prototype
- Use measurements to compare performance
Materials
What You Need
- 20 index cards
- 30 cm masking tape
- Scissors
- Ruler or tape measure
- 200 g test mass
- Engineering notebook
Procedure
Instructions
- Study the materials without building for two minutes.
- Sketch one tower concept and label the base, vertical supports, and payload platform.
- Predict the tower height and identify the most likely failure point.
- Build for 15 minutes using only the issued materials.
- Measure the height before adding the payload.
- Place the 200 g mass on the top platform for 30 seconds.
- If the tower fails, document the failure location and make one repair using remaining material.
- Retest and calculate a performance score: successful height in centimeters divided by grams of material used.
Requirements
Engineering Requirements
- Stand without being attached to the table or floor
- Support 200 g for 30 seconds
- Use no more than 20 cards and 30 cm of tape
- Include a platform that prevents the payload from sliding
- Provide a measured final height
Constraints
Constraints & Safety
- 15-minute initial build time
- No glue, staples, string, or added materials
- Payload must be placed by hand without holding the tower
- Height is measured from table surface to top of payload
Deliverables
What You Submit
- Initial sketch and height prediction
- Photo before testing
- Measured height and material use
- Failure observation or success evidence
- Performance score calculation
- Three-sentence redesign recommendation
Reflection
Reflection Questions
- How did the base width affect stability?
- Where did compression or bending appear?
- Which material use produced the most strength?
- What would you change with five additional cards?