Curated OER
Build a Cardboard Bridge That Can Hold Potatoes
Students identify the characteristics of a bridge and build with junk materials. In this bridge building instructional activity, students use cereal boxes, paper towel or toilet paper tubes and tape to create their bridges. Bridges...
Curated OER
Bridge Building, Tension, and Compression
Students demonstrate tension and compression using real world examples. In this forces lesson, students demonstrate tension on a suspension bridge. They demonstrate compression on different roof designs.
Curated OER
Suspension Bridge Building
Learners build a model of a suspension bridge and test the amount of weight it will support. For this engineering lesson, students study types of bridges and attempt to construct a suspension bridge shown in a diagram. They use string...
Curated OER
Ooblek
Students demonstrate the three states of matter. For this matter lesson, students read Bartholomew and the Ooblek. Students create "ooblek" and discuss what state of matter it is.
Curated OER
Mixtures Lab
Students classify different mixtures. In this mixtures lesson plan, students determine samples to be suspensions, colloids, or solutions and compare homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures.
Curated OER
Mixing in the Kitchen
Students identify the different types of mixtures. They identify examples of solutions, suspensions, colloidal dispersions, and emulsions through a game and basic experiments.
Curated OER
Building a Bridge
Students design a bridge. In this science lesson, students research different types of bridges and create a bridge using marshmallows, toothpicks and construction paper.
Curated OER
Stable and Unstable Structures
Students consider ways to create stable bridges. In this bridge design instructional activity, students view pictures of bridges that have collapsed. They use the information to work in small groups creating a blueprint for a bridge of...
Curated OER
Solutions, Suspensions, and Colloids
In this solutions, suspension, and colloids worksheet, learners answer questions as it relates to their reading information about solutions, suspensions, and colloids. Students observe different examples and complete a chart as they...
Curated OER
Mystery State #16
In this mystery state instructional activity, students answer five clues in an attempt to identify the state in question. Then, students locate it on a map.
Curated OER
Physical Science: Bridge Building
Students study bridges and design and build their own. They explore different types of bridges and build a basic beam bridge in pairs. After creating their beam bridge, they design a truss bridge and then build a suspension bridge and...
Curated OER
Bridge Collapse
Students read about and view a real bridge that collapsed. They examine the fundamentals of building a solid and safe bridge and then construct their own bridge model using rolled newspaper and tape.
Curated OER
Tension and Compression
Students explore the forces of tension and compression by manipulating a variety of objects, and apply what they learned in the construction of a model bridge.
Curated OER
Let's Settle It!
Students investigate and record data about sedimentation rates. They make a sedimentation bottle using aquarium gravel, sand and potting soil. They discuss the sedimentation rates that they see in their bottles.
Curated OER
Build and Test
Students display what they have learned about bridges as they construct their bridge. They present their projects to the rest of the class. They compare and contrast the construction of the bridges.
Curated OER
Suspension Bridge Construction
Students build a model of a suspension bridge and test the amount of weight it support. They identify different types of bridges: suspension, arch, girder, truss, cantilever, cable-stayed and moveable.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: The Design Process: Creating a Stronger Truss
This is an interesting project that explores which geometrical shapes make the strongest bridge truss structures. It is a good introduction to the engineering design process. You'll design three different trusses, and use online...
Museum of Science
Museum of Science and Industry: Online Science: Activities: Straw Bridges
An investigation where students design and build a bridge, using only straws and tape, that must support a weight.
Science Museum, London
Making the Modern World: Bridges
Learn all about bridges in this interactive learning module.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Build a Bridge
Survey potential bridge sites, research bridge design, and select the right bridge for the right location in this interactive activity from the NOVA: "Super Bridge" Web site.
Other
University of Cincinnati: Project Step: Build a Bridge
In this two-period lesson plan, young scholars work in teams to focus on the real-world application of bridge design and construction based on capacity, cost, and aesthetics.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Triangles: Designing a Straw Bridge
In this video segment adapted from ZOOM, the cast tries to design and build a bridge made out of drinking straws that will support the weight of 200 pennies. [4:02]
Other
Minnesota Department of Transportation: Bridge Up! Engineering [Pdf]
In this lesson, students learn about the difference between human-made and natural components in our world. They will then identify natural and human-made items using photos. They will learn about the Engineering Design Process, why...
Other
Lincoln Public Schools: Applied Technology & Engineering: Bridge Busters [Pdf]
In this activity, students design and build the lightest bridge to support the heaviest load. They investigate different bridge designs and building materials, learn key terminology, and test their prototypes in order to meet the...