Introduction: Cardboard Ferris Wheel - Learning From Home Project

By

This is a nice learning from home project where students can make a ferris wheel with materials and equipment that is available at home. I have make the steps simple and clear for high school students to follow.

Learning Intention: Develop practical skills with tools, materials and processes while working safely, independently and collaboratively on design projects.

Supplies

  • Cardboard
  • Scissors
  • Ruler
  • Pens
  • Compass (Optional)
  • Stapler & Tape
  • Skewer Sticks

Step 1: Creating the Wheel Shape

Find cardboard materials to create your project. Create a circular outline on the cardboard by using a compass or a plate to trace around. This should be approximately 23 cm diameter.

Step 2:

Get a scissor to cut out the circle. Trace and cut another circle. You should have two.

Step 3: Finding the Center Point

Draw a rectangle with parallel lines on the opposite sides. As appears in the first picture below. Draw two diagonal lines to find the center point. Do this for the 2nd circle too.

Step 4:

Draw a slightly smaller circle on the cutout by using a smaller plate or compass. You can estimate the side similar to the picture. Use a small jar to draw a smaller circle on the cut out.

Step 5: Create Wheel Spoke Lines

Draw a vertical line and a horizontal line as appear in the middle photo above. Measure and mark 1 centimeters to the left and the right of the line. Mark this on the bottom as well. Use the ruler to join the mark so it appears as the middle picture below. Do this to the other spoke line as well.

Step 6:

Repeat this step for the 2nd circle cut out as well. You should have 2 circles cut out with markings as appear in the middle picture below.

Step 7: Creating More Spoke Lines

Measure the distance between the spoke like in the above-right picture. Divide it by 2 and make a mark. Do the same to the other 3 sides. Draw in the diagonal lines.

Step 8:

Measure and mark 1 centimeters to the left and right of the lines to draw 8 spoke on each wheel. Shade in the waste area as appears below.

Step 9:

Cut in from the outside. Cut out the shaded areas. Be Careful not to crease the cardboard too much. Do this for both wheels.

Step 10:

Tape and staple the open cut.

Step 11: Making the Passenger Cabins

Get another piece of cardboard. Measure 4cm, 4cm, 4cm, 4cm, 2cm up and 5 cm wide. As appears in the middle photo.

Step 12:

Repeat the steps to make 4 pieces. Cut along the top as appears in the middle photo. Fold along the marked line and staple the ends together to create the cabins.

Step 13:

Repeat the steps to make 4 cabins. Get a sharp pen to poke a holes on the top flaps.

Step 14: Making the 2 Wheel Connectors

Get another piece of cardboard. Mark along with the distance of 2cm, 5cm and 2cm. Mark the width of 2.5cm. Repeat to create 4 pieces and cut it out.

Step 15:

Fold the strip and staple it to the wheel. Staple the 4 pieces at the middle of the 2 spokes. Do this on the back of the wheel. It should be like the middle photo above.

Step 16:

Staple the other sides to the second wheel. You should have the two circle pieces attached together securely.

Step 17: Attaching the Cabins to the Wheel

Use a pointy pen to make a hole into the cabin and also the wheel along the spokes. Find a stick (skewers, cotton swab, wooden chopstick) cut it to length with a scissors. Insert through the holes of the cabin and the wheel. Repeat the step for the 4 cabins.

Step 18:

The wheel completed.

Step 19: Creating the Stand

Measure and cut a piece of cardboard to the size of approximately 15cm x 25cm. Fold it at 3cm, 9cm, 3cm, 9cm and 1cm to make a rectangular prism shape, as appear in the right photo. Staple the 2-4 staples to secure it together.

Step 20:

Measure 2 pieces of cardboard at 9cm x 21cm. Measure the length at the top at 3cm and 6cm and mark the location. Mark a straight line connecting the bottom corner to the points marked. Do the same on the other corner. It should look like the middle photo above. Cut along these 2 straight lines. Attached both pieces to the base by stapling on the left and right side.

Step 21:

Get a sharp pen and puncture the holes at the top to attach the wheel middle stick. It should look like the photos above. Your project is now complete.