Building Strength from Paper: A Student Exploration of Structures

Ashton and teaching assitant Tony

How much weight can paper hold? More than you'd think—if used the right way.

Recently, Ashton from Woodbridge Road Academy, Paradigm Trust, took on a hands-on engineering challenge: build a structure using only paper that could support the weight of a 75cl water bottle. At first, it sounded impossible. But through creativity, and an understanding of basic structural principles, he turned flimsy sheets into strong frameworks.

The key concepts explored in this project were tension and compression. Ashton learned that even the weakest materials can become remarkably strong when shaped and arranged cleverly. Cylinders, triangles, and folded patterns helped distribute the weight of the bottle, with some designs holding the load with surprising ease.

Throughout the process, he tested ideas, failed, and iterated. He discovered how columns experience compression from the bottle’s weight pushing down, while folded or stretched elements handled tension as forces pulled on them. By understanding and balancing these forces, he engineered an impressive solution with just paper and tape.

By the end of the project, he had created a paper structure that held more than 7 kilograms!! What started as a simple design task became an exciting exploration of engineering principles in action.

This activity didn't just teach engineering—it encouraged problem-solving, critical thinking, and a hands-on appreciation of how everyday structures stand tall. The result? A fun and unforgettable lesson in the power of design.