The purpose of this investigation is to help students understand the relationship between base area and structure stability. A large base will help the structure remain stable when forces are applied to the newspaper tower. The higher the tower, the larger the base.

Students tried several times to build a stable tower out of newspaper sheets and tape. Finally, when students were satisfied their towers could withstand the wind force of a "5000 horsepower, nuclear-powered" leaf blower, their towers were tested. The leaf blower was moved closer to the tower until the unstable tower fell over.