2327 L Street, Sacramento, CA 95816-5014 916.440.1985 • FAX 916.440.1986 info@capta.org • www.capta.org

2017 California State PTA Convention 1 C02 – Full STE(A)M Ahead!

STEAM NIGHT – Engineering Activity

Building Cup Pyramids

ACTIVITY OVERVIEW:

Engineering doesn’t have to be complicated. Use a simple plan and common tools to see if you

can work as a team to construct a cup pyramid.

WHAT DOES THIS SCIENCE ACTIVITY HELP US LEARN?

Engineers and construction crews must work together to make their visions become reality. Using

simple tools and your communication skills, see if you can construct a cup pyramid.

NGSS Standard: 3-5-ETS1-1 to 1-3

Grade Levels: 3-5

MATERIALS (per group):

6-12 Plastic cups, a rubber band with four pieces of string tied onto them

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Work in pairs or groups of four.

2. Each person grabs a string and uses it to move the cups by opening

and closing the rubber band.

3. Stack the cups in a pyramid shape.

4. If time allows try to stack the cups in another way—

a. Stack them bottom to bottom and top to top

b. See how high you can stack cups

2327 L Street, Sacramento, CA 95816-5014 916.440.1985 • FAX 916.440.1986 info@capta.org • www.capta.org

2017 California State PTA Convention 2 C02 – Full STE(A)M Ahead!

HOW CAN I DO THIS AT HOME WITH MY CHILD?

This is easy to do at home! It’s a great rainy day activity or way to inspire teamwork among

siblings.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

http://tryengineering.org/play-games http://www.eie.org/engineering-adventures/curriculum-units https://www.teachengineering.org/mostpopular http://www.stemmom.org/2012/10/building-wind-turbines-engineering-lab.html http://lemonlimeadventures.com/recycled-marble-run/#_a5y_p=1357270 http://leftbraincraftbrain.com/engineering-201-diy-recycled-suspension-bridge/ http://pbskids.org/games/engineering/ http://curiouskangaroos.blogspot.com/2011/07/paper-rocket.html http://www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk/_resources/documents/Making_Waves_activity.pdf http://www.nextgenscience.org