STEM Showcase

Today we carried out an experiment in the Senior room for some of our younger pupils to observe and enjoy !

Materials:

- Several cups (paper or plastic)

- Sheets of cardboard

HOW CAN YOU STAND ON A PAPER CUP WITHOUT BREAKING IT?

Ask some of the students to stand on a cup, or cups .

Discuss the results -

Then ask the children to space several cups out evenly and then place a sheet of cardboard on the top. We then found the cups would support our weight .

When we stood on one cup it broke straight away as we expected. This is because all our weight was pushing down on the cup, compressing it. However,  if you arrange the cups neatly spaced apart and place a piece of cardboard over the top, the weight is distributed meaning there isn’t too much weight on any one cup.

We discussed with the class the results of the experiment and asked

them to draw conclusions about weight distribution and how it relates to balance.

This experiment is a fun and interactive way of teaching students about weight distribution and balance. It will help them to develop their observation and analytical skills.

All the children enjoyed the experiment!