1. Da Vinci Bridges

2. Aim
This workshop will test students skills in problems solving and determine if they can think on their feet to come up with a solution to a practical problem.
Following on from this, students will experiment and create a self supporting Da Vinci bridge out of lollipop sticks

3. What you need To complete this workshop you will need, per group:
Approx. 30 lollipop sticks
Sticky tape

4. What you need To complete this workshop you will need, per group:
Approx. 30 lollipop sticks
Sticky tape

5. The challenge
Set the students a 25 cm gap (using 2 tables is fine) and ask them to use the materials provided to identify a way that they can bridge the gap with a bridge that is strong enough to hold a 500gram weight.
No further knowledge is required, this is an experimental challenge!
Students have 15 minutes to complete this.

6. Congratulations to those who did!
Did you pass or fail?
Gather the students around and test their design to identify who completed the challenge successfully.
Congratulations to those who did!

7. Now together we will create a self supported, free standing bridge that will successfully bridge this gap

8. Follow the instructions closely on the following slides
Did you know:
Many years ago, Leonardo DaVinci made plans for the construction of quick and mobile bridges that could be used to quickly get soldiers over rivers during war time.
We will follow these plans to make our own da Vinci bridge from lollipop sticks.
Follow the instructions closely on the following slides

9. Set 4 sticks out like the ones shown below
Step 1
Set 4 sticks out like the ones shown below

10. Add 2 more sticks, under the green and over the blue
Step 2
Add 2 more sticks, under the green and over the blue

11. Place another stick under the 2 yellow sticks
Step 3
Place another stick under the 2 yellow sticks

12. Place 2 more sticks under the orange and over the green
Step 4
Place 2 more sticks under the orange and over the green

13. Rest 2 more sticks so that they are resting on the orange one
Step 5
Rest 2 more sticks so that they are resting on the orange one

14. Step 6
Place a new stick across the bridge, under the yellow and over the blue

15. Set another stick under the blue ones
Step 7
Set another stick under the blue ones

16. Nearly there, place 2 blue sticks under the green and over the red
Step 8
Nearly there, place 2 blue sticks under the green and over the red

17. Place a another stick horizontally like shown below
Step 9
Place a another stick horizontally like shown below

18. Set an orange stick at the end of your bridge
Step 10
Set an orange stick at the end of your bridge

19. Step 11
For the final step, place 2 yellow sticks under the orange and over the green

20. Finished Product
Test your bridge by placing it over the gap and adding your weight to it

21. Try building this on a bigger scale
Try building this on a bigger scale. You can even use this technique to build a bridge that can hold your own weight if you are confident.
Have a go!