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What Makes Bridges so Strong?

A series of videos guide you to design, create, and test a paper bridge while learning about real-life bridge design as you answer the question: what makes bridges so strong? Try experimenting with whatever materials have you have on hand. If your bridge doesn’t work the way you want it to, modify and try again.

Scroll down to read real reviews from educators and parents with helpful tips and tricks!

Time Needed:: 45-60 minutes
Grade:: 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade
Subject:: Engineering, Physics

Educator Rating:

4.6

Parent Rating:

5

Educator Reviews

4.6

Based on 5 reviews

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Annonymous

This resource is all about structural engineering and building bridges. You will need a stack of books, index card or paper, and pennies or anything that can be used as a load. This lesson covers a bit of history about the golden gate bridge and more specifically the engineer responsible, Charles Ellis. It details many different ways to build a bridge based on previous designs by different structural engineers. The project requires easily obtainable supplies and has a hands on component which will keep your little scientists interested for a while. From this experiment, you can jump into a lot of different structural engineering challenges like tall tower or building a shelter. I would recommend this project for aspiring engineers who want a challenge.

Annonymous

This is a great activity for engineering because you can make a competition game out of it and not a lot of materials are required. It is highly engaging and there are step by step instructions. I really like this one. If you don't have any pennies, get creative with what you can use instead: Washers, marbles, small toys, rings, bottle caps. Make that part of the fun.

Annonymous

This is a very good activity where everyone can participate.

Mitch

Another excellent lesson from Mystery Science. This is an amazing STEM resource for students and parents to learn and explore the engineering and science behind bridges. The lesson here is taught as it would be in a classroom; the instructor engages the student first with some interesting facts, questions, and images, leading into pertinent background information then finishes with a great hands-on activity. The instructor consistently prompts discussion and asks engaging questions throughout the lesson and guides the student through the activity, providing encouragement and even follow-up lessons and resources.

Annonymous

This activity appeals to multiple ages and kids with a variety of interests. The engineering minded child enjoyed the structural challenge; the child not particularly interested in engineering got into the activity through the competitive aspect. The activity was appropriate for 1st-3rd graders just learning the scientific process. The activity’s relatively quick results and opportunities to learn from failures gave the kids a sense of accomplishment as each trial did better than the last.

Parent Reviews

5

Based on 1 review

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Annonymous

This was really fun and I feel like we learned a lot. One note for homeschoolers: it's helpful to set some sort of time limit, as things can quickly devolve into chaos :). I did this with my 5, 7, and 9 year olds, and they were all able to participate and learn with appropriate assistance.

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