Biuld a Bridge (2)
This activity works well for students from 5th to 12th grade. Total class time is 45 to 55 minutes. Divide the students into teams of no less than 3 students per team. The teams have 10 dollars (monopoly money) to purchase supplies to build a bridge. The bridge will need to span 10 inches (2 thick text books support each end of their bridge). The span should be just longer than the length of the straw. They have 15 to 20 minutes to design and build their bridges. Then each bridge is tested in front of the whole class. The bridges are tested using large washers (lag washers are heavy and work best for the time allowed). Let the students place the washers on their bridge under test. They are allowed to spread the load over the whole deck area, that is not supported by the books,evenly.
Supplies
8.5" X 11" paper (100 sheets)
Plastic straws (50)
Marshmallows (1 bag) (can be used as a glue or end connectors on the straws)
Lag washers (50-100 depending on age of students)
Student cost for each item:
Paper = $1
Straws = $3
Marshmallows = 50 cents
Notes
If you have time to pre-build a truss folded version out of 1 or 2 pieces of paper to show that the cheaper material may also be the strongest when engineering concepts are used in the design. It also shows how education can make what seems impossible work. You can ask the question: "How much will 1 or 2 sheets of paper support?" and then show what an engineered bridge (the truss design) will hold.
This activity shows the tasks that engineers go though daily when designing any product:
- Teamwork
- Design
- Cost control
- Compromise
- Deadlines
- Testing
This leads into a discussion of the importance of school, or the value of college (depending upon the age group) and the fun of being an engineering. You can introduce many different areas of engineering: civil, structural, electrical, computer, chemical, etc.
Thanks to Michael Fisher in Oregon for providing this activity idea.
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