Grade 5 · Design & Engineering · Lesson 163

Tabletop Crane

Build a stable cardboard crane that lifts and lowers one large paper cube 15 cm.

Time2 × 45 minutesTeamsPairs; alternate builder and testerEquipmentBasic classroom design materials; no powered equipment

Your project in view

What you are making

Build a stable cardboard crane that lifts and lowers one large paper cube 15 cm.

This generated example illustrates one possible finished design—not actual student work. Use the lesson’s sizes, connected parts and safety steps; your colors and creative details can be different.

Generated finished-project example for Tabletop Crane: Build a stable cardboard crane that lifts and lowers one large paper cube 15 cm.
Tabletop Crane · Generated project example

Student directions · Grade 5

What will you make and do?

Build a stable cardboard crane that lifts and lowers one large paper cube 15 cm.

Teacher overview: Students will plan the specific object described below, make and test a first version, then use their results to improve it. Read one step together, demonstrate the unfamiliar action, and let students complete that step before moving on.

  1. 1Plan your project

    Draw the base, tower, boom, axle and load path. Mark where tipping could happen.

  2. 2Make the first parts

    Laminate a broad base and triangular tower, then attach a braced boom above the pivot.

  3. 3Put it together

    Install the string spool and broad safe hook. Turn the empty spool before attaching the paper load.

  4. 4Test it fairly

    Lift the cube 15 cm and lower it to a target three times. Record tipping, rubbing and dropped loads.

  5. 5Improve one part

    Change one brace, base counterweight position or spool guide and repeat.

  6. 6Show and turn in

    Submit the finished tabletop crane, two labeled ideas and before-and-after evidence. Explain which change the results support.

How will you know it works?

  • Lifts the cube 15 cm
  • Completes three lift-and-lower cycles without tipping
  • Record the stated test and explain one revision

Before you move on

Explain which measurement, input or design choice you are testing. Predict the result and record what stays the same so your comparison is fair.

Machine cutting, printer setup and electrical power-on require adult approval. A basic-materials model is a valid way to demonstrate the design when equipment is unavailable.

Keep your plan, test notes and before-and-after evidence with the printable design brief below. Use the detailed teacher plan and any coding guide for tool instructions. These steps continue across the lesson’s meetings, not all in one sitting.

For teachers

Engineering standards

This shows how the lesson connects to the national NGSS engineering standards and what student work you can collect.

Assessed

3-5-ETS1-1

Define the need in Build a stable cardboard crane that lifts and lowers one large paper cube 15 cm. Agree on the two success checks and the listed material limits.

What students show: Two labeled ideas with the target and limits stated.
Practiced

3-5-ETS1-2

Compare the ideas using the project checks: Lifts the cube 15 cm; Completes three lift-and-lower cycles without tipping.

What students show: A selected design with a reason connected to a success check.
Assessed

3-5-ETS1-3

Test, change one feature and retest: Lift the cube 15 cm and lower it to a target three times. Record tipping, rubbing and dropped loads. Change one brace, base counterweight position or spool guide and repeat.

What students show: Before-and-after results collected under the same conditions.

Materials

  • Corrugated cardboard
  • paper tube axle
  • cotton string
  • paper clip hook prepared by teacher
  • paper cube
  • ruler
  • Pencil, planning paper and the printable design brief below

Teacher preparation

  1. Gather per-pair materials: Corrugated cardboard; paper tube axle; cotton string; paper clip hook prepared by teacher; paper cube; ruler.
  2. Make one rough sample and rehearse the exact test: Lift the cube 15 cm and lower it to a target three times. Record tipping, rubbing and dropped loads.
  3. Set the size, load or distance marks mentioned in the steps before class. Demonstrate an ordinary first attempt, not a perfect model to copy.
  4. Prepare any holes, fasteners or difficult cuts for students. Check the stated safety note and clear the testing space.

Step by step

How to teach it

Meeting 1 · 0–8 min

See the job and plan

  1. Introduce the finished object: Build a stable cardboard crane that lifts and lowers one large paper cube 15 cm.
  2. Draw the base, tower, boom, axle and load path. Mark where tipping could happen.
  3. Students say what would count as a successful result.
Meeting 1 · 8–18 min

Model the unfamiliar action

  1. Demonstrate slowly: Laminate a broad base and triangular tower, then attach a braced boom above the pivot.
  2. Pause so partners can repeat the action; provide prepared parts if cutting or folding blocks progress.
Meeting 1 · 18–35 min

Build the first version

  1. Install the string spool and broad safe hook. Turn the empty spool before attaching the paper load.
  2. Partners swap builder and checker roles halfway through. Check the working part before decorating.
Meeting 1 · 35–45 min

Try once and save

  1. Run one trial of the stated test to locate an obvious problem. Do not count a changed procedure as a fair comparison.
  2. Label and store the model; sketch its current shape and clear the work area.
Meeting 2 · 0–8 min

Predict and set up

  1. Revisit the two success checks. Agree on identical starting conditions and prepare a before/after results table.
Meeting 2 · 8–23 min

Collect evidence

  1. Lift the cube 15 cm and lower it to a target three times. Record tipping, rubbing and dropped loads.
  2. One student operates while the other records. Swap for a later trial while noting a change of operator if it affects the result.
Meeting 2 · 23–35 min

Change one thing

  1. Change one brace, base counterweight position or spool guide and repeat.
  2. Keep the original results rather than replacing them with only the best attempt.
Meeting 2 · 35–45 min

Explain and clean up

  1. Submit the finished tabletop crane, two labeled ideas and before-and-after evidence. Explain which change the results support.
  2. Collect the brief and results; separate reusable materials and clean the test area.

Assessment

  • Lifts the cube 15 cm
  • Completes three lift-and-lower cycles without tipping
  • Student demonstrates the actual task: Lift the cube 15 cm and lower it to a target three times. Record tipping, rubbing and dropped loads.
  • Record includes failures as well as successes.
  • Student identifies one changed feature and uses the retest to explain the result.

Supports & extensions

  • Provide a worked first joint or sample; have students record dimensions and explain one comparison limitation.
  • Start with the smallest working version of tabletop crane before decoration.
  • Extension after success: choose one more value for the same tested feature, predict its effect and repeat lift the cube 15 cm and lower it to a target three times.

Safety & responsible use

  • Teacher checks materials and test conditions before use. Use classroom scissors; adults prepare difficult cuts, holes and fasteners.
  • No powered tools, coding, hot glue or electrical circuits are required. Keep moving objects contained and test loads light.
  • Use only a light paper load and short tabletop string. Keep hands clear of the spool and never lift over people.

No-machine alternative

Use prepared paper parts, larger pieces or an adult-assisted version of the same build. Keep the functional task: Build a stable cardboard crane that lifts and lowers one large paper cube 15 cm. If physical testing is not possible, label sketches as predictions rather than measured results.

Printable student design brief

The challenge

Build a stable cardboard crane that lifts and lowers one large paper cube 15 cm.

Success criteria

  • Lifts the cube 15 cm
  • Completes three lift-and-lower cycles without tipping
  • Record the stated test and explain one revision

Constraints

  • Use only the listed teacher-approved materials
  • Stay within the teacher-set size, load and test-space limits
  • Two 45-minute meetings; keep the first version simple

Engineer’s notes

Who uses this object, and what should it do?
Draw two possible designs. Label the working parts and circle your choice.
Which size, fold, gap or position must you measure or mark?
Before testing, predict what will happen: Lift the cube 15 cm and lower it to a target three times. Record tipping, rubbing and dropped loads.
Record each trial: condition / expected result / actual result.
Draw the ONE change you made. What stayed the same?
Record the retest. Did the change help, not help, or leave the result uncertain?
Show and explain: one result that supports your conclusion.
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