1. Mr. Slavinsky Walter Reed Middle School 8th Grade Physical Science
Building a Bridge
Mr. Slavinsky
Walter Reed Middle School
8th Grade Physical Science

2. Warm-Up
Describe 1 type of bridge that you have seen. Sketch a picture.

3. Objective:
Students will learn about the 4 types of bridges and their strengths and weaknesses.
Students will create a bridge that will be able to sustain the greatest weight.

4. Beam Bridge

5. Cable-Stayed

6. Arch Bridge

7. Suspension Bridge

8. Human Bridge
Pairs of students face each other with palms touching about 1 ½ feet apart.
Move feet back while keeping palms touching until you cannot back up any more/balanced bridge.
Where on the bridge do you feel compression/tension?
Have one person move 2 steps to the left.
What happens to the balance of the bridge?

9. Groups
Groups of 3
No group changes without teacher consent

10. @ Home Go to: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bridge/
Complete “Which Bridge” worksheet.
Due Tomorrow
Play “Build a Bridge Game”
Record answers on worksheet.

11. Build a Bridge Students will have access to: Time Requirements:
Popsicle Sticks
White Glue
Time Requirements:
1 Day to sketch blueprint
2 Days to complete bridge

12. Build a Bridge All bridges MUST be:
Made entirely of popsicle sticks and white glue.
Able to span a 40 cm gap.
Have a mass less than 100g
Have a whole in the middle that is at least 4 cm in diameter so that the testing bar can be inserted.

13. Bridge Testing
Bridge Testing Worksheet

14. Grading Which Bridge Worksheet – 20 points Blueprint – 30 points
Bridge Testing Worksheet – 20 points
Participation – 30 points
Bridge – 100 points
1-2 place: 100 points
3-4 place: 85 points
5-6 place: 75 points
7-8 place: 65 points
>9 place: 50 points
No Bridge = 0 points