Wind Damage – Bay Area Discovery Museum

Wind Damage

Build a tower that is as tall and durable as possible, and then test the structure in the wind by placing a fan in front of it. Will the tower withstand the windstorm? This activity introduces children to the process of trial-and-error, as well as problem solving.

Materials Required

  • 4 pipe cleaners
  • 4 straws
  • Fan
  • 1 piece of foil
  • 4 mailing labels
  • Yardstick (for measuring only)
  • 2 rubber bands
  • 1  12-inch piece of string
  • Chair (to use as a post for the tower)

Instructions

  1. Set a timer for 15 minutes. Use the materials to build a tower that is as tall and durable as possible. Attach the structure to a chair (or other post) using the rubber bands or string. Be sure to place the post close enough to an electrical outlet so the fan can still reach the tower when it is plugged in.
  2. When time is up, measure the tower. Record how tall it is.
  3. After recording the height, test to see if the tower can withstand a windstorm. With adult supervision, set a fan 24 inches from the tower. Turn it on low. Does the tower hold?
  4. After 15 seconds, turn the fan off. Measure the height of the tower again. Is it still as tall?

Additional Tips

Try these add-on activities:

  • Turn the fan on high and see if the tower can withstand even stronger winds.
  • With adult supervision, set the fan 12 inches from the tower and turn it on low. Can it still withstand the wind? What if the fan speed is set to high?
  • Can the tower withstand an earthquake? Gently shake the chair. Measure the tower again. Is it still as tall?
  • Try building another tower using twice the amount of each material. How does this change the construction?

Links to Creativity

This activity asks children to build, balance, and fortify. With so many things to consider, this tower-building activity requires what creativity researchers call problem construction (also known as problem finding), which is a critical phase for most creativity. Defining rules and goals helps us develop creative strategies to solve problems. The trial-and-error approach that is required for this activity provides direct experiences with the creative process. Regardless of whether the outcome of the activity is judged as artistic or visually beautiful, finding and solving problems does not always look creative at first glance.
Supporting research includes:

Lubart, T. I. (2000-2001). Models of the Creative Process: Past, Present and Future. Creativity Research Journal, 13(3/4), 295-308.
Mumford, M. D., Baughman, W. A., Threlfall, K. V., Supinski, E. P., & Costanza, D. P. (1996). Process-Based Measures of Creative Problem-Solving Skills: I. Problem Construction. Creativity Research Journal, 9(1), 63-76.

Contributor

This activity was contributed by Destination Imagination, Inc. For more information and resources see DestinationImagination.org.  ©Destination Imagination, Inc.

Wind Damage

Build a tower that is as tall and durable as possible, and then test the structure in the wind by placing a fan in front of it. Will the tower withstand the windstorm? This activity introduces children to the process of trial-and-error, as well as problem solving.

  • 4 pipe cleaners
  • 4 straws
  • Fan
  • 1 piece of foil
  • 4 mailing labels
  • Yardstick (for measuring only)
  • 2 rubber bands
  • 1  12-inch piece of string
  • Chair (to use as a post for the tower)
  1. Set a timer for 15 minutes. Use the materials to build a tower that is as tall and durable as possible. Attach the structure to a chair (or other post) using the rubber bands or string. Be sure to place the post close enough to an electrical outlet so the fan can still reach the tower when it is plugged in.
  2. When time is up, measure the tower. Record how tall it is.
  3. After recording the height, test to see if the tower can withstand a windstorm. With adult supervision, set a fan 24 inches from the tower. Turn it on low. Does the tower hold?
  4. After 15 seconds, turn the fan off. Measure the height of the tower again. Is it still as tall?

Try these add-on activities:

  • Turn the fan on high and see if the tower can withstand even stronger winds.
  • With adult supervision, set the fan 12 inches from the tower and turn it on low. Can it still withstand the wind? What if the fan speed is set to high?
  • Can the tower withstand an earthquake? Gently shake the chair. Measure the tower again. Is it still as tall?
  • Try building another tower using twice the amount of each material. How does this change the construction?
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