inSTEP Lesson Plan Template
Last name: Roxas, Raisa
Component
Title & Credits
Building Bridges and Arches through Shapes, a modified activity from Engineering for Kids book and
inspired by Parts of the Whole Bridge activity.
Major
Understanding
Recognizing shapes and force in their environment is a great way students can learn and relate math to
everyday life. Having the students build a bridge or arch will help introduce or reinforce elementary
engineering concepts through authentic learning.
Target
Grade/Subject
Grade 4th or 5th Math and Science
Objectives
Reinforce concepts of shape and force through a hands-on activity. Students will practice using concepts in
the design process when creating their arch or bridge. Post activity, students will reflect on the relevancy
of shapes and
Component
Standards of
Learning: Math &
Science
Math: Standard 4.6 – Estimate and measure weight/mass; 4.7 – Estimate and measure length; 4.10 –
Identify and describe representations of points, shapes, lines, intersection, perpendicularity, parallelism;
4.15 – Recognize/create numerical and geometric patterns
Science: Standard 4.1 – Conduct scientific investigation while using reasoning and logic; 4.2 – Investigate
and understand characteristics and interaction of moving objects.
Standards:
Engineering &
Technology
STL 11 – Students will develop the abilities to apply the design process.
Time
25 minutes
Materials
8 Gumdrops, 20 boxes of Toothpicks, 4 Straws, 1 Index Card, Scissors, Masking Tape, Various Pieces of
Candy (represent weight)
Inquiry
Component
Engage Anticipatory Set
(3 mins.)
Explore - Experience
Phenomena
(5 mins.)
Explain - Concept
Development
To get students into the mode of thinking about structures like bridges and arches, we will present pictures
that display examples of bridges and arches. We will ask lower order thinking questions to have them
recall information learned about shapes, lines, and patterns. We will introduce instructions for upcoming
activity.
Students will be grouped by birthday seasons, given a reminder of constraints and given materials. A simple
and brief demonstration will be given on the concept of designing a bridge. First, students will brainstorm
and write ideas and thoughts. Students will create a bridge while using a form of the design process.
Throughout activity, we will help students with issues and ask questions to evaluate their understanding of
the challenge. (10 minutes)
After commencement of activity we will gather entire group and discuss group ideas, problems, and how
their method of problem solving. Throughout the discussion we will introduce terms like triangle, square,
base, lines, intersections, and different patterns.
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inSTEP Lesson Plan Template
Last name: Roxas, Raisa
(3 mins)
Good. Use resources to show how the forces are distributed based on the shapes (Building Big Website).
See if you can cut this time in half.
Elaborate Consolidate &
Expand Concepts
The students will design and build that can close a 18 cm gap and can hold various candies with different
weights.
(10 mins.)
Evaluate - Closure &
Assessment
(
We can do a trouble-shooting chart with “cause,” “effect,” and “fix.” In this discussion students will state
issues, why it was a problem, and the fixes they used during building of their structures. We will ask
students questions to check for students understanding. Also, We will restate basic concepts that was
stated in the explore section.
Engineering
Component
Identify Need,
Problem,
Specifications,
Constraints
Each group will be given 8 gumdrops, 20 Toothpicks, 4 Straws, 1 Index Card cards, Scissors and various
candies. They will be constructing and testing how many items their bridge can hold. Students will
construct a free – standing bridge that will cover a 18 cm. gap that can hold up various weighted items
Time constraint is 10 minutes including brainstorming.
Brainstorm Solution
We will suggest brainstorming techniques like drawing a design or writing a list.
Construct a
Prototype
Student will construct a prototype of a bridge that will connect the two boxes while being able to hold
weighted objects.
Test and Evaluate
Students test and evaluate their bridges as they complete them.
Re-Design
We will ask students for re-design ideas.
Communicate
(If there is time) The students will be able to verbally explain how their bridge works and what they
selected the design and shapes.
2
inSTEP Lesson Plan Template
Last name: Roxas, Raisa
This is the sections where the students explain how their bridges work and why they selected the shapes
chosen.
Evaluate
(If there is time) We will ask questions to check for understanding.
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