Bridge Designer Created by 7 th Grade Math Teachers MacKinnon Middle School

Our Task The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is the agency that is responsible for all the bridges, tunnels, and the PATH trains in the metropolitan area. They have determined that there is currently too much traffic over the George Washington Bridge. They are planning for the construction of a new bridge over the Hudson River to meet the needs of the expected increase in traffic in the future. As a bridge designer, you have been selected to plan, design, and construct the new bridge connecting New York and New Jersey.

The Process Complete the Bridge Designer worksheet to see the close relationship between geometry and bridge designs. The links below will assist you. Complete the Bridge Research/Planner for the four different kinds of bridges.Bridge Research/Planner Use the following links to view pictures of bridges to see the most common types of plane geometric figures that are used in the construction of bridges:

Bridge Research/Planner

Process continued…… Research to make a list of the longest bridges in the United States. Name two bridges in New Jersey. Complete the following questions: Which type of bridge is each of the bridges on your list? What are the pros and cons of each type of bridge? Why are the longest bridges suspension bridges? Draw or create a model of the bridge that your group has designed. In a brief written description include the following information: Name of your bridge The type of bridge you designed Geometric shapes used Explanation of your choice

Evaluation Novice = 7Apprentice = 8Practitioner = 9Expert = 10 Worksheet _____x 3 = ____ Partially completed the data-containing sections. Partial or incorrect calculations and analysis. Completed the sections on the worksheet that contained data. Partially calculated and analyzed data correctly. Completed the sections on the worksheet. Calculated and analyzed the data accurately. All of practitioner plus successfully conducted the research and made a drawing. Research _____x 1 = ____ Listed 1-2 longest bridges in the US and answered most of the research questions. Listed 3-4 longest bridges in US and answered research questions. Listed 5 longest bridges in the US, named 2 in NJ and answered research questions accurately. All of practitioner plus ranked bridges Answered in complete sentences. Drawing/Models _____x 4 = ____ Some attempt to create a drawing of bridge. Student successfully drew bridge. Successfully drew bridge with relevant labeling. Successful construction of bridge model to scale with key and appropriate labeling. Written Description _____x 2 = ____ Included two elements of the written description. Included three of the elements in the written description. Completed all four elements in written description. Practitioner plus additional information.