been working on a physics experiment. The following are the only supplies allowed:

 

8 sheets of regular paper

Elmers white glue

 

Objective: Construct 8.5 inch tall structure that a 12 ounce soda can can easily fit inside and be removed with no obstructions. Has to be able to support 30 - 50 pounds.

Don't you need a soda can to see if it can fit inside?

yes you do. the soda can must be able to fit inside and then be removed. it cannot be a part of the supporting structure

What size of soda can? What kind of paper is "regular paper"? Can you compress the paper?

think triangles, probably.

and tubes. and the compression thing I was talking about earlier.

Along the lines (as it were) of the triangles, look at corrugated cardboard and ask yourself why it's so strong.

forget the paper. Use enormous quantities of elmer's glue. Make moulds in structural shapes and allow the glue to dry then reassemble. Should be easy if they let u have enough glue. They didn't specify how much...

Objective: Construct 8.5 inch tall structure...

What kind of paper is "regular paper"?

Good point, YDOAPS. Does the "regular" refer to writing paper or the size? Using 8.5" x 14" regular *legal* paper would give you more material to work with.

 

And if it really has to support 30# (a couple of bowling balls) you probably will need a lot of Elmer's.

Build tubes out of paper and fill them with glue