Students explore how tension and compression forces act on three different bridge types. Using sponges, cardboard and string, they create models of beam, arch and suspension bridges and apply forces to understand how they disperse or...

Read about the building of the Brooklyn Bridge, the first steel-wire suspension bridge. This site, from American Memory, has a biography of John A. Roebling, the designer of the bridge, and many links to photographs of the construction...

Through a five-lesson series that includes numerous hands-on activities, students are introduced to the importance and pervasiveness of bridges for connecting people to resources, places and other people, with references to many...

This exciting and interactive site illustrates the four main types of bridge building styles. Also contains games and hands-on descriptions. Appropriate for upper elementary and middle school students.

In this activity, students will work in pairs to create three simple types of bridges. They will observe quantitatively how the bridges work under load and why engineers use different types of bridges for different places. They also will...

Introduce young scholars to physics concepts that engineers use when building a bridge. This curriculum unit includes concepts such as Newton's Third Law, stress on a material, vibration, and resonance. Unit includes lectures, lab...

A collection of resources about bridges that includes basic facts about bridges, challenges faced by bridge builders, famous bridges from around the world, and a lab that helps you understand how different forces affect bridge...

This Science Buddies project asks that you identify different kinds of bridges, discover why they are built as they are, and then build three different bridges of your own out of balsa wood. See which one you think can bear the heaviest...

Labeled illustration of five types of bridges: beam bridge, truss bridge, arch bridge, suspension bridge, and cable-stayed bridge.

Students are presented with a brief history of bridges as they learn about the three main bridge types: beam, arch and suspension. They are introduced to two natural forces - tension and compression - common to all bridges and...

A large collection of beautiful photos of various bridges from around the world! A visual reference for teachers and students. Browse through the examples, then click to enlarge.

The city of San Francisco started officially planning to build the Golden Gate Bridge in August 1919. Many experts said it could not be built because of heavy winds and strong ocean currents, but construction began in 1933 and was...

Investigate the three basic bridge spans by engaging in the activities provided. Includes links to explore related sites pertaining to bridge design.

The Tacoma Narrows Bridge disaster was caused by wind vibrations. Wind in a valley spanned by the Tacoma Narrows Bridge causes the bridge to vibrate so much it collapsed. Shows pictures of the bridge as it is collapsing.

Technovation provides hands-on STEM activities. Students will watch an inspiring video about suspension bridges. Studentswill create their own bridge that must support at least 15 pennies.

A history of the construction and some general facts on the Brooklyn Bridge are found at this website. Not incredibly detailed, but a good reference for information.

This resource highlights the construction of the Mackinac Bridge, a famous landmark in Michigan.

This resource highlights the construction of the Mackinac Bridge, a famous landmark in Michigan.

PBS site provides videos and activities are hands-on challenges that focus on the engineering design process. They use simple materials, allow for multiple solutions, and are ideal for ages 9-12.