Lesson Planet
Search educational resources
  • Sign In Try It Free
  • AI Teacher Tools
    • Discover Resources Search reviewed educational resources by keyword, subject, grade, type, and more
    • Curriculum Manager (My Content) Manage saved and uploaded resources and folders To Access the Curriculum Manager Sign In or Join Now
    • Browse Resource Directory Browse educational resources by subject and topic
    • Curriculum Calendar Explore curriculum resources by date
    • Lesson Planning Articles Timely and inspiring teaching ideas that you can apply in your classroom
    • Our Story
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Testimonials
    • Contact Us
  • Pricing
  • School Access
    • Your school or district can sign up for Lesson Planet — with no cost to teachers
      Learn More
  • Sign In
  • Try It Free

Hi, what do you want to do?

Create a lesson plan
Create a lesson plan
Generate resources with 80+ AI teacher tools
Generate resources with 80+ AI teacher tools
Search 200,000 instructional videos
Search 200,000 instructional videos
Find a teaching resource
Find a teaching resource
Build a Bridge Lesson PlanBuild a Bridge Lesson Plan
Publisher
DiscoverE
Resource Details
Curator Rating
Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
Grade
6th - 12th
Subjects
Science
5 more...
Resource Types
Activities & Projects
1 more...
Audience
For Teacher Use
Duration
1 hr
Instructional Strategies
Collaborative Learning
2 more...
Usage Permissions
Fine Print
Language
English, Spanish, Chinese, German, Other
Lesson Plan

Build a Bridge

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Build a Bridge lesson plan also includes:
  • Build a Bridge (Spanish Version)
  • Build a Bridge (German Version)
  • Build a Bridge (Portuguese Version)
  • Build a Bridge (German Version)
  • Build a Bridge (Russian Version)
  • Build a Bridge (Chinese Version)
  • Activity
  • Join to access all included materials

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 budget of $20,000.

41 Views 33 Downloads

Concepts

engineering design, bridges, constraints, technology resources

Instructional Ideas

  • Have a contest to see which group can build a bridge and come in the most under budget

Classroom Considerations

  • Activity requires a variety of materials
  • Learners must be able to calculate costs

Pros

  • Provides diagrams of various types of bridge trusses
  • Describes some engineering and science connections

Cons

  • None

See similar resources:

Worksheet

Spaghetti Bridges: Student Worksheet

Curated OER
Here is a wonderful activity that allows young engineers to try their hand at designing a bridge out of spaghetti! The worksheet explains the activity and also provides a graph for keeping track of the results. Very good!
4th - 6th STEM
Activity

Build a Straw Bridge

DiscoverE
Build teamwork skills while building a bridge. Scholars work together in groups to create a bridge out of 20 straws and tape. There is a minimum span length of 25 centimeters, but otherwise, let creativity run wild.
3rd - 12th Science
Worksheet

Tower Building Challenge- Budgeting

Curated OER
For this tower building and budgeting worksheet, students attempt to meet the goal of building the tallest free standing structure on the smallest budget. They build the structures with straw, paper clips, and masking tape which all have...
5th - 8th Math
Lesson Plan

Popsicle Bridge

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Using popsicle sticks and glue, groups must work together to design and build a bridge that can support weight and is aesthetically pleasing. The lesson begins by learners reading about different features of bridge architecture, followed...
2nd - 12th Math
Lesson Plan

Bridging the Gaps

Teach Engineering
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. 
6th - 8th STEM
Interactive

Functional Groups

Royal Society of Chemistry
Looking for a highly functional tool to teach young chemists functional groups? Engage the class with a series of logic-based games. Users identify 12 different functional groups by name and formula to work their way through challenging...
6th - 12th Science
Activity

Bridge Types: Tensile and Compressive Forces

Teach Engineering
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 worksheet to record their observations of the...
6th - 8th STEM
Activity

Cost Comparisons

Teach Engineering
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...
6th - 8th STEM
CCSS: Designed
Lesson Plan

Put Your Truss in Building Bridges

Curated OER
Learners 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.
5th - 8th STEM
Activity

Straw Bridges

Teach Engineering
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...
6th - 8th STEM
Try It Free
© 1999-2026 Learning Explorer, Inc.
Teacher Lesson Plans, Worksheets and Resources

Sign up for the Lesson Planet Monthly Newsletter

Open Educational Resources (OER)

  • Health
  • Language Arts
  • Languages
  • Math
  • Physical Education
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Special Education
  • Visual and Performing Arts
View All Lesson Plans

Discover Resources

  • Our Review Process
  • How it Works
  • How to Search
  • Create a Collection

Manage Curriculum

  • Edit a Collection
  • Assign to Students
  • Manage My Content
Contact Us Site Map Privacy Policy Terms of Use