Activity header and navigation

View More Activities

Critical Load

Activity Description

Teams build a house of cards and see how much weight it can support before it collapses. In the process, they consider structural integrity, strong building design, and materials.

Activity Metadata

Time

45 minutes or Less

Careers

Civil

Grade

3-5
6-8
9-12

Topic

Dream Big
Structures
Technology & Materials

Leader Notes Student Instruction Challenge Video

STEM activity content with collapsible sections

This article contains collapsible sections with activity materials, instructions, and additional resources. Use the expand/collapse buttons to view each section.

Activity Content Sections

Comments and feedback section

Enjoy this activity?

Join our community and receive activities, early access to programs, and other special news, and/or leave feedback on this activity below!

Leave feedback form

Thank you! Your submission is processing.

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

First Name *

Enter your first name for the feedback form

Last Name *

Enter your last name for the feedback form

Name *

Email Address *

Enter your email address to receive updates and responses

Your Feedback (optional)

Optional feedback about this activity

Add me to the DiscoverE email list

Check this box to receive updates and news from DiscoverE

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Submitting your feedback...

Please wait while your feedback is being submitted.

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Name *

Email *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Activity sidebar with print, download, and sharing options

Activity Actions

Opens a modal with downloadable activity resources

Share this activity with your network!

Enjoy this activity? Please let your friends know!

Opens social media sharing options

Challenge created by:

More Activities from TryEngineering

Downloads

Critical Load_083116

Related Activities

View All

Hot House

1 to 2 Hours

3-12

View Activity

Aqueduct

1 to 2 Hours

View Activity

Balloon Bust

The Verhalen Family

1 to 2 Hours

View Activity

Build a Bridge

45 minutes or Less

View Activity

Ways to contribute and support STEM education

DiscoverE helps create activities like this around Dream Big, Structures, Technology & Materials for children in Elementary School and Middle School and High School to help prepare them for STEM careers in fields like Civil.

Find our resources helpful?
Please consider donating.

Make a donation

Want to find out how you can volunteer?

Get Involved

Critical Load

Enjoy this activity?

Thank you! Your submission is processing.

Submitting your feedback...

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

DiscoverE helps create activities like this around Dream Big, Structures, Technology & Materials for children in Elementary School and Middle School and High School to help prepare them for STEM careers in fields like Civil.

About Us

Get Involved

Resources

Connect

Stay up-to-date with all the programs and resources that Discover E has to offer!

Login or Create Account

Log in or sign up