The Longest Paper Chain: Design and construct the longest possible paper chain.

Materials:

  • One piece of construction paper
  • Scissors
  • Tape

 Instructions:

  1. Cut the Paper.
    • Tip: Cut strips along the longest side of the construction paper and be consistent with your width for links
  2. Form Connecting Links.
    • Take one strip of paper and form it into a loop, securing the ends with a small piece of tape to create the first link.
    • For the next link, thread a new strip of paper through the first loop before taping its ends together to form a new loop.
    • Continue this process, ensuring each new loop passes through the previous one before being taped closed.
  3. Construct your Chain.
    • Tip: Use the smallest possible piece of tape to secure each link.
    • Tip: A small overlap of the paper (about 1/2 inch to 1 inch) is usually sufficient for a strong tape connection.
  4. Test and Measure
    • When time is called, carefully unroll or stretch out your paper chain.
    • Measure the total length of each chain from end to end
    • Compare the lengths of the chains.

Extension Activities:

  • Strength Test: After measuring, see which chain can hold the most paperclips or small weights before breaking. Discuss how link width affects strength.
  • Material Constraint: Provide smaller pieces of paper or a limited amount of tape.
  • Time Limit: Add a strict time limit to encourage quick decision-making.
  • Team Challenge: Have small teams work together to create a collaborative chain, promoting communication and strategy.
  • Design a different type of chain: Can you create a chain without loops, but still using the same materials?

Standards Alignment: CCSM: MDA4: Measure to determine how much longer one object is than another, expressing the length difference in terms of a standard length unit.