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Builder's Lab / Week 02 / Thursday
4/6
Week 02 · Tall Tower

Thursday

Why did it lean?
// The tallest tower made of paper
⏱ about 20 min

Thursday: Why Did It Lean?

Rocket's pole tower leans, then flops onto the rug.

"It fell at six seconds," Nova reports.

Rocket grins. "We can improve it!"

Raven kneels down. "What do you notice about the bottom?"

"It is one skinny tube," Rocket says. "The base is tiny!"

VersionBaseHow tall (inches)Stood 10 seconds?
Rocket version 1One skinny tube30No

Find the problem

The tower was tall, but the base was tiny.

A tiny base makes a tall tower tip.

The crew will change one thing: the base.

READ THE TABLE
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
How tall was Rocket's version 1?
What was the base of version 1?
ONE CHANGE
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Which plan changes only the base?
IMPROVE THE TOWER
  • Tap a card.
  • Then tap its spot.
1First
2Next
3Then
4Last
Try it
Look at your version 1 base.
How could you make it wider?
Three tubes in a triangle? Paper feet?
Draw your new, wider base.

Ideas for a wider base

  • Tape three tubes together in a triangle.
  • Fold paper feet that stick out at the bottom.
  • Roll a fat tube for the bottom and thin tubes on top.
WHY DID IT LEAN?
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Rocket's tower was 30 inches tall. Why did it fall?
At what time did version 1 fall?
Which idea makes the base wider?
IdeaTrue or false?
Rocket was upset when his tower fell.?
The crew will change just the base.?
A tiny base helps a tall tower stand.?
WHY THIS EXERCISEFinding the real problem tells you what to change.

Finding a problem is a big win!

Tomorrow, we test version 2.

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