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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
Curated OER

Building Bridges

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students identify the different types of bridges. Using the internet, they research information on how they are built by completing a scavenger hunt. Locating a specific area, they determine which type of bridge would be appropriate and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Suspension Bridges: Connecting Lives

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore bridges.  In this bridge lesson, students design and build a suspension bridge after visiting related websites and reviewing famous bridges in non-fiction books.  Students follow the instructions from the "Build a Bridge...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Bridge is for Crossing

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Young scholars examine the bridges of Washington State. They focus on the suspension bridge between Tacoma and Gig Harbor. They see how three different types of bridges work by rotating students through bridge stations.
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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

Modeling Mania Math Topic: Using Models

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Young scholars examine problem solving techniques when working on spatial problems. They discover how models, sketches, and drawings can be used to understand on something works. They design a model of a bridge using given dimensions and...
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Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Vectors and Stone Bridges

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
What does it take to build a stable arch? Pupils apply vectors and physics as they examine arched bridges and their structural integrity. They use vectors to represent the forces acting on the stone sections and make conclusions based on...
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Lesson Plan
Illustrative Mathematics

Christo’s Building

For Teachers 6th - 7th Standards
Hook your charges on how to solve a real-world art problem with mathematics by showing works of Christo. You can find eye-catching images on the Christo and Jeanne Claude webpage. Here, math learners help Jean Claude and Christo prepare...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building a Paper Bridge: an Introduction To Problem Solving

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders explore problem solving strategies to build a paper bridge with a partner. As a class they discuss a variety of techniques to solve a simple problem, then in pairs construct the longest non-supported single span bridge...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building Bridges

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students use glue, toothpicks, cardboard, marshmallows and more to build a structure. For this building lesson plan, students budget money to get their materials and make their building in teams.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Build a Cardboard Bridge That Can Hold Potatoes

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students identify the characteristics of a bridge and build with junk materials.  In this bridge building lesson, students use cereal boxes, paper towel or toilet paper tubes and tape to create their bridges.  Bridges must be a certain...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bold Bridges

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore bridge construction. In this bridge building activity, students view bridge websites and discuss how bridges are designed and built. Students design and construct their own bridge using the directions provided.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Spaghetti Bridges: Student Worksheet

For Teachers 5th - 6th
In this math worksheet, students will create a "bridge" out of spaghetti and test it's strength with pennies. Students will record their results on a table and then graph the results.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Spaghetti Bridges

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders experiment with building bridges of spaghetti, pennies, and a cup to determine how varying the number of spagetti pieces affects the strength of the bridge. They graph their results and interpret the data.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bridge Design and Bridge Building

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders conduct an investigation into the design of bridges and their construction. Students design bridges and draw detailed plans. For assessment they construct a model of a bridge that is made entirely of toothpicks. Students...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building a Bridge

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders discover architecture and functionality by constructing a bridge.  For this bridge engineering lesson, 3rd graders utilize cardboard, straws, towel tubes and plastic bottles to create a model bridge similar to ones seen in...
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Lesson Plan
Mathalicious

The Fall of Javert

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Falling off a bridge might not sound like your idea of a good math problem, but incorporating the final scene of Les Misérables is sure to spark interest. The goal is to use the time Javert fell off the bridge to determine how high he...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Spaghetti Bridges

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students thread a piece of spaghetti through the holes in the cup. One person suspend the cup by placing each index finger approximately one inch in from the ends of the spaghetti.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bridge Building

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders will create model drawings of bridges and integrate technology into the process of creating a visual representation. Technology is used in the industry of design and architecture. This lesson helps to build real life skills.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cross That Bridge

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create paper bridges. In this geometry and architecture instructional activity, groups use legal paper and paper clips to design a bridge that will hold 100 pennies. Links to mini-lessons exploring stability of different...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's Build

For Teachers K - 1st
Students observe and discuss a picture of Curious George building a bridge and discuss what it means to build, plan and design a project. As a class, they list things they need to do in oder to build something and explore how a compass...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bridges

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders use model-building to help comprehend the forces and phenomena at work in the world around them. They describe gravity as a universal force that pulls everything toward the center of the earth. Students distinguish between...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Build and Test

For Teachers 6th - 10th
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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bridging the Gap

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the role that bridges play in our society. They conduct an investigation to examine the various shapes and functions of bridges. They determine which type of bridge would best suit a given scenario.