Curated OER
Put Your Truss in Building Bridges
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.
Teach Engineering
Strength of Materials
Pupils examine a stress-strain diagram that compares the advantages and disadvantages of the two common bridge building materials, concrete and steel. The also consider the factors that influence the materials builders choose for their...
Teach Engineering
Bridge Types: Tensile and Compressive Forces
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 reaction of...
Radford University
Transformational Graphing in the Real World: Building Bridges
No suspension here, the resource is good to go. Using graphing calculators, scholars explore how transformations affect the graphs of quadratic functions. They consider how the changes relate to the context of suspension bridges.
Teach Engineering
Straw Bridges
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...
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 lesson, students use cereal boxes, paper towel or toilet paper tubes and tape to create their bridges. Bridges must be a certain...
Curated OER
Building Bridges
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...
Curated OER
Suspension Bridges: Connecting Lives
Young scholars 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. Young scholars follow the instructions from the...
Curated OER
The Math in the Design and Building of Bridges
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...
Curated OER
Modeling Mania Math Topic: Using Models
Students 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...
Illustrative Mathematics
Christo’s Building
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...
Curated OER
Bold Bridges
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.
EngageNY
Vectors and Stone Bridges
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...
Oregon Department of Education
Building Number Sense
It's never too early to begin a child's math education. This collection of fun hands-on activities engage youngsters in building their number sense as they learn how to count objects, identify numerals, compare amounts, and much more.
Curated OER
Bridge Design and Bridge Building
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...
Curated OER
Building a Paper Bridge: an Introduction To Problem Solving
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...
Teach Engineering
Load It Up!
See how a marshmallow can hold up a bridge load. Teams take a closer look at the design of bridge piers. They determine the types of loads that might affect a bridge, and, using that information, they calculate the needed cross-sectional...
Curated OER
A Bridge is for Crossing
Students 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.
Curated OER
Bridge Building
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.
Curated OER
Building a Bridge
Third graders discover architecture and functionality by constructing a bridge. In this bridge engineering lesson, 3rd graders utilize cardboard, straws, towel tubes and plastic bottles to create a model bridge similar to ones seen in...
Curated OER
Spaghetti Bridges: Student Worksheet
Pairs of learners work together in order to simulate how engineers test materials for strength and safety in the real world. They use paper cups and pieces of spaghetti to run strength tests. This excellent worksheet should lead to...
Curated OER
Spaghetti Bridges: Student Worksheet
In this math worksheet, learners 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.
Teach Engineering
A Good Foundation
It takes a strong foundation to build a house and a stronger one for a bridge. This resource presents the effects of geology and soil on bridge foundations. Working in groups, the class investigates the interaction of shallow and deep...
Math Learning Center
Grade 1 Supplement Set A4 – Number and Operations: Equivalent Names
Engage young mathematicians in developing their basic arithmetic skills with these great hands-on activities. Using Unifix® cubes to model a variety of single digit addition and subtract problems, children build a basic understanding of...