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Lesson Plan
Teach Engineering

Bridging the Gaps

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
The London Bridge should not have fallen down. And here's why. After a brief history of bridges and the three main types, class members are introduce to the concepts of tension and compression, the two main forces acting upon bridges. 
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Activity
Teach Engineering

Bridge Types: Tensile and Compressive Forces

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Bridges rely on tension and compression to keep them standing. Pairs test this principle by constructing simple bridges and applying a force to the center. Teams use the provided activity to record their observations of the reaction of...
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Lesson Plan
Teach Engineering

Designing Bridges

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Introduces your class to the types of loads experienced by a bridge. Groups calculate the ultimate load combinations to determine the maximum load requirement. Using this information, builders then determine the amount of material they...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Math in the Design and Building of Bridges

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Research various types of bridge designs. Your class will be asked to consider what it would be like without bridges while learning about how they work. They will construct a model bridge based on given parameters. They then calculate...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Paper Suspension Bridges: You Want Me To Go Up There?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
A few class periods will be required to complete this physics investigation with your high schoolers. There is an unavailable video written into the lesson plan, but there is plenty of material here to bridge the gap. Two terrific...
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Activity
Museum of Science

Straw Bridges

For Teachers K - 6th Standards
There is never a bridge too far. Using common items, class members build bridges to span an opening. Pupils test different geometric shapes to determine which is the strongest. Learners use pennies to find the strength of their bridges...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Put Your Truss in Building Bridges

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students apply abstract concepts, such as stress, fulcrums, the law of gravity, and the strength of different geometric shapes. Groups of student contractors operate simulated architectural firms to create strong, economical bridges.
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

The Physics of Bridges

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Stability is key when building a bridge. Scholars explore the forces acting upon bridges through an analysis of Newton's Laws and Hooke's Law. The activity asks individuals to apply their learning by building a bridge of their own.
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Lesson Plan
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Popsicle Bridge

For Teachers 2nd - 12th Standards
Using popsicle sticks and glue, groups must work together to design and build a bridge that can support weight and is aesthetically pleasing. The instructional activity begins by learners reading about different features of bridge...
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Activity
DiscoverE

Bridges, Buildings and Beyond Activity Packet: Grades 6-8

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Pour a solid foundation of engineering into the minds of future engineers. Scholars take part in three activities to learn about civil engineering. They build a model of a cable-stayed bridge, conduct an experiment to see the effects of...
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Activity
DiscoverE

Design a Shoe

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Engage young scientists in a project where high fashion meets engineering! Using foam core and hot glue, partnered pupils design and create a functional, fashionable pair of shoes. Groups then put the footwear through its paces using a...
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Activity
Teach Engineering

Straw Bridges

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Pairs work as engineering teams to design and build model bridges from drinking straws and tape. In this third segment in a series of 10, teams compete in an attempt to build the strongest bridge. To help with the design, the groups...
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Activity
Teach Engineering

Trust in the Truss: Design a Wooden Bridge

For Teachers 10th - 12th Standards
Obviously, a sturdy bridge is the desired outcome. Pupils select from one of four different types of truss bridges, then construct a model of the bridge from craft sticks and glue, making sure that it satisfies certain constraints. They...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building Bridges

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Provide a comprehensive exploration of bridges and civil engineering. First, learners discuss the different types of bridges. Then, they identify the characteristics of a suspension, beam, and arch type of bridge. In addition, they learn...
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Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Bridge Building

For Teachers 3rd - 8th Standards
Bridge the gaps in your knowledge of bridges. Individuals learn about bridge types by building models. The activity introduces beam bridges, arch bridges, truss bridges, and suspension bridges.
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Lesson Plan
DiscoverE

Build a Bridge

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Cost overruns are unacceptable—in the real world and in an engaging activity. Groups of pupils get together to build a bridge out of straws, paper cups, and tape. They keep track of costs ($1,000 for each material) and must stay within a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Suspension Bridges

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students explain the concepts of tension and compression, and then state the purpose of suspension bridges. They also study some of the most famous suspension bridges in North America.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Bridge Designer" Lab

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Learners become civil engineers and assist in designing a Truss Bridge to carry a two-lane highway across a river valley using the West Point Bridge Designer 2003 Software. They construct bridges based upon budget and demos. Students...
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Activity
Teach Engineering

Cost Comparisons

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Our final proposal for the cost of the bridge requested is ... In the last segment in a series of 10, pairs work together to develop a proposal for a city bridge design. The class completes a cost comparison between concrete and steel to...
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Activity
James Dyson Foundation

Challenge Cards

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Can you build it? Yes you can! This interactive game includes four design challenges presented on separate cards. The cards outline the challenges with limited restrictions but with an end goal in mind. The competitions include building...
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Activity
DiscoverE

Bridges, Buildings and Beyond Activity Packet: Grades 3-5

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
The road to a better understanding of engineering lies with bridges and tunnels. A set of four engaging activities teaches learners about engineering concepts related to construction projects. They perform an experiment to find the...
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Lesson Plan
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Scholastic

Ruby Bridges: A Simple Act of Courage, Grades 3-5

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Through character trait graphic organizers, a vocabulary sorting activity, class discussion, and a civil rights movement slide show, your young historians will be introduced to the amazing story of Ruby Bridges and her experiences as the...
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Organizer
Curated OER

4-H Line and Design Advanced Leader's Page

For Students 5th - 7th
Incorporate 21st century graphic design skills into an advanced line and design activity learning exercise. 4-H'ers will have a blast using a computer graphics program to re-create an image, unscrambling design terms and matching them...
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Activity
DiscoverE

Human Suspension Bridge

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
When is it okay to be suspended in school? When you're part of a human suspension bridge! Learners first model tension and compression in pairs. Once complete, they get together as a class to model a suspension bridge.

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