Building Bridges

thingiverse

Students learn how engineers design bridges that can withstand heavy loads while being durable and visually appealing. In teams, students create their own bridge designs and build prototypes using limited materials. Each bridge must span at least 14 inches and hold a significant amount of weight. The goal is to be resourceful and use the fewest materials necessary to achieve success. Students then evaluate the effectiveness of their bridges and present their findings to the class. **Learning Objectives:** * Understand civil engineering principles * Learn about engineering design and planning * Develop teamwork skills by working in groups **Lesson Plan:** Day 1: Discuss bridge types with a guest engineer, Day 2-3: Research various bridges using online resources, Days 5-7: Build and test bridge prototypes, Day 8: Final weight test and peer review, Day 9: Reflections on the design process. **Possible Extensions:** * Document the process with a video or SeeSaw * Create a presentation about why a city should build your bridge * Write an essay about how new materials have impacted bridge design over the past century **Materials Needed:** * Access to internet for research, print Challenge sheets, 3D modeling software, and various building materials. **Skills Learned:** * Scientific understanding of bridge design (3-PS2-1) * Engineering design process (3-5-ETS1-3) * Design and testing of prototypes (3-5-ETS1-2) * Iterative design process (3-5-ETS1-1) **Duration:** 10 days **Preparation:** * Print examples of bridges for students to reference * Gather materials for students to research and compare bridges * Choose a weight type to test the bridges, such as small weights or pennies. **References:** * TryEngineering * Sydney Harbor Bridge History * Building Big - Bridges * Building Bridges Online * Galloping Gertie