Science & Engineering
The Great Tower Challenge
A creative challenge by Dr Alexy Karenowska
The Challenge
This challenge is inspired by Magdalen College's Great Tower, one of Oxford's most iconic landmarks. At 44 metres tall, it is the highest building in the whole of Oxford and has stood for more than five hundred years. Your mission is to build your own tower, as tall as you are, using only recycled materials!
This is a challenge designed to test your science skills, your ingenuity, your determination, and your imagination. Can you build a structure that stands on its own without any support?
Your Mission
Build a self-supporting tower as tall as you are using entirely recycled materials. Your tower must be able to stand on its own without being held up or leaned against anything.
The Rules
- Your tower must be made entirely from recycled materials such as cardboard boxes, toilet roll tubes, newspapers, plastic bottles, egg cartons, or packaging materials.
- You can use tape, glue, or string to hold things together.
- Your tower must be self-supporting. This means it must stand up on its own without being held or propped against anything.
- Measure your tower and measure yourself. Can you make your tower as tall as you are?
- Create a poster explaining how you built your tower and what you learned.
What Makes a Great Tower?
- The overall height of your tower
- The ingenuity and originality of the construction materials and techniques you have used
- How amazing your tower looks
- Your poster explaining your building process
Tips for Building
- Think about what makes buildings stable. A wide base often helps!
- Consider how weight is distributed. Heavy materials at the bottom can provide stability.
- Look at how real towers and buildings are constructed. What shapes do they use?
- Triangles are very strong shapes in engineering. Can you incorporate them into your design?
- Test your tower as you build. Does it wobble? What can you do to make it more stable?
- Do not give up if it falls down! Real engineers learn from failure and try again.
Materials to Collect
Start gathering recycled materials from around your home:
- Cardboard boxes (all sizes)
- Toilet roll and kitchen roll tubes
- Newspapers and magazines
- Plastic bottles and containers
- Egg cartons
- Packaging materials
- Tape, glue, and string to connect things
About Dr Alexy Karenowska
Dr Alexy Karenowska is a physicist at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of Magdalen College. Her research focuses on magnetic systems and spin waves, and she teaches undergraduate Physics and Engineering Science courses.
Alexy is also the Director of Technology at The Institute for Digital Archaeology, working on innovative ways to preserve cultural heritage using 3D printing and other technologies. She directs an educational initiative called the Future Opportunity Exchange (FOX), which encourages young people to explore connections between science, arts, and humanities.
As Magdalen's Widening Participation Fellow, Alexy has a special interest in helping young people feel inspired about further education and recognise their ability to influence the future.
Share Your Tower
Completed this challenge? We would love to see your tower and your poster! Ask an adult or carer to submit photos of your creation. Pictures must be of your tower only and should not include people.
Submit Your ResponseChallenge Details
Category: Science & Engineering
Time needed: 2-4 hours
Materials: Recycled materials, tape, glue, string
Ages: All ages (younger children may need adult help)