Build a Bridge
Materials
Per team: paper and pencil, straws, toothpicks, clear tape, scissors, 2-liter bottle filled with water (about five pounds) for testing the bridge
Procedure
Set the stage: students must build a bridge using only existing materials. The bridge needs to be long enough to span the distance (use textbooks, desks, or tables to create the space to be spanned) and strong enough to hold the weight.
Have students work in teams. Allow ample time to design their structures.Have students talk about design ideas.
Adapt this project for older students (9-12) by using lots of string, a few popsicle sticks, and glue instead of the materials listed above.
Notes: Have teams build and test their structures.
Central Texas Engineers Week | www.centexeweek.org