Start building your paper bridge on the ground on or a table. Use a sheet of 8. 5 in × 11 in (22 cm × 28 cm) copy paper, which may be labeled as “A4” size, or a piece of regular notebook paper will work just as well. You can also use wooden building blocks that are the same size instead of textbooks if you like. [1] X Research source
Try adjusting the distance between the textbooks if the bridge cannot hold a pencil. Making the distance smaller may give the bridge the support it needs to hold more weight. [2] X Research source
Small coins such as pennies or dimes are ideal. Paper clips are also another option. Try looking around you to find other small objects that you can use to test your bridge!
When the paper is unfolded, you will see 2 “M” shapes when you look at it from the side.
You may have to bring the textbooks slightly closer together so that the paper can reach both supports. Pleated paper bridges can support more weight than flat paper bridges. This is because the weight of the objects is spread out over the pleats, and each pleat spreads the weight down to the foundation.
For an extra challenge, work out how the placement of the objects affects how much weight the bridge can hold. The paper bridge will be able to support evenly distributed weight more effectively, rather than if all the weight is in 1 spot. [3] X Research source
