Engineering at Home · Newspaper Fort

Ages 7 - 12 · Check in on our YouTube channel once a week for a new video featuring an engineering activity you can do with common objects and materials at home! All activities will begin with specific materials and instructions, but with your creativity you can experiment and make each activity your own. - - NEWSPAPER FORT Description STEP ONE · Gather Your Materials - 72 sheets of old newspaper - tape - string - scissors - stapler - if you don't have a stapler, a single-hole punch might also come in handy STEP TWO · Roll Your Newspaper Into Rods - Take two sheets at a time and roll them diagonally. Once you reach the end, use an inch or two of tape to secure it. - Repeat this 35 more times! STEP 2.5 · Wash Your Hands! - After rolling 36 newspaper rods, they're probably dirty with ink! STEP THREE · Staple, Tape, or Tie 3 Rods Into a Triangle Shape. - Use the stapler, tape, or single-hole punch & string to attach the corners of the triangle. - Repeat this until you have 12 triangles! STEP FOUR · Tape or Tie 8 Triangles Together to Form the Sides. - You can see in the patter use in the video that the triangles alternate between pointing up and down. - Whether you’re using tape or string, secure each side together with two ties. One at the top and one at the bottom. - Once you’ve connected all eight triangles, you can stand them up and bring the two ends together. Secure the two ends of your wall again with two ties, one at the top, and one at the bottom. STEP FIVE · Tape or Tie 4 Triangles Together to Form the Roof. - Just as we did with the sides, connect the triangles together with two ties. For the roof, all four triangles are going to end up pointing the same direction, up! - Once you add the fourth triangle, you can connect it to your first, forming the pyramid shape of your roof. STEP SIX · Attach Your Roof to the Sides - Line up the four corners of your sides with the four corners of our roof, and use tape or string to connect each corner twice. STEP SEVEN · Have Fun in Your Fort! - Decorate it, experiment with construction, add a sheet, and enjoy your new cozy place :) - - Spark Central is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that ignites the creativity, innovation, and imagination necessary for people to forge the path to their best future. We break down barriers to creativity like cost, confidence, and access by offering transformative programs, access to innovative technology, and a welcoming creative community for people of all economic backgrounds. Visit Spark-Central.org for more information on who we are and other programs we offer. - - Music courtesy of YouTube's Audio Library Bird Therapist by Craig MacArthur I Feel Like Partying Right Now by Nat Keefe & BeatMower