Cardboard Laptop Sleeve From a 12 Pack

Kids love soda pop and kids really love tech devices. In this STEM lesson, students will create a laptop sleeve from (2) 12 pack cardboard cases. Is there a better STEM project out there? Probably. Can I think of one right now? No.

Students, go ahead and start drinking soda pop. Teachers, get out your RRR posters, rulers, and scissors. Science, technology, engineering, and math await! Let's get to work.

2 empty 12 pack cardboard cases of soda pop

felt

scissors

ruler

Hole punch

string, yarn, zip ties, or pipe cleaners

Velcro dots

You'll need a piece of thick felt to protect your laptop screen. Students should measure their (small) laptop and cut the piece of felt to match. Set this piece of felt aside.

Using one of the 12 packs, cut the width of your computer plus 2 inches. For the height, cut 1 section of the 12 pack out, leaving 3 sections remaining. 2 sections will be used for adhering to the felt. You can glue the felt on now. The 3rd section will be for the flap. Refer to the picture if need be.

Grab the other 12 pack case. Again, cut the width of your computer plus 2 inches. This time, cut out 2 sections of the case.

You should now have 2 separate pieces. One piece of cardboard that has 2 sections, and one piece of cardboard that has 3 sections.

With your 2 pieces of cardboard aligned, punch holes every 2 inches. You'll do this on three sides. DO NOT punch holes in the top flap.

Using string, yarn, zip ties, or pipe cleaners, connect both pieces of cardboard. I used a combination of string and pipe cleaners.

Stick some velcro dots on the flap, spaced evenly. My laptop sleeve measured 12 inches in length, so I placed my velcro dots at 3", 6", and 9".

The last step of the design process is to improve your prototype. Students, what improvments can you make? I can't wait to see what you come up with!