Engineering the Future
Assignment for Credit
SDSU
July 21-25
Name: Pam Kohnen
School: Hitchcock/Tulare
School Email:
pam.kohnen@k12.sd.us
School Phone: 605-596-4171
1. Activity Selected (include title/description): Bridge Building
2. Textbook used in class: Holt Science Spectrum
3. Approximate time/chapter the activity will be done: 1 -2 weeks
4. In the table below, identify what you will do for each of the 5E’s of constructivism for this activity.
Engage
Check out the bridges near your home or the bridges you use to get to school.
To share with class.
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Explore
When was the structure built? How long did construction take?
Who built it?
What is it made of? Why did the builders choose that material?
Why is it shaped the way it is?
What holds it up? What keeps it from falling down?
Talk about the bridges in our area.
Students will share their findings on their bridges
Students will proceed to : http://www.coolmath-games.com/0-cargo-bridge/
Students will work for 30 minutes
Recording what worked and how far they got.
Discussion on how they performed on the activity
Explain
Lecture from hand out on the 4 main bridge types, their length, and direction of forces
TRUSS BRIDGE- SINGLE SPAN 350 FEET
SUSPENDED TRIANGLES
DECK BRIDGE -250 FEET -BEAM SUPPORT
ARCH BRIDGE-
800 FEET -STEEL, CONCRETE
GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE
SUSPENSION BRIDGE 2000-7000 FEET- STEEL CONCRETE
Elaborate
Bridge Challenge
Instructions:
Recent flood waters have washed away a 2 span bridge completely isolating a rural community.
Your team has been hired to design and rebuild the bridge to provide disaster relief to the
community.
Rules:
1. Each team has $10 budget. The $10 can be charged to your account at the hardware store.
2. The hardware store can supply you with the materials and tools to complete your project. The
tools are loaned out for free, but the material you must purchase. The hardware store does not
accept returns.
3. Once constructed, the bridge must be able to transport two “Relief Pods” simultaneously from one
support block to the other. Note: The Relief Pods must start and end on the support blocks.
4. The bridge can bear on the supports/pier, but cannot be attached to the supports.
5. Failure is defined as the Relief Pods or any part of the bridge touching the water.
6. The team that successfully transports the Relief Pods the cheapest wins!
7. In the event of a tie, aesthetics will be the tie breaker.
ETF Hardware Store
Available Building Materials:
Wood stick
Glue stick
Paper card
String
Rubber Bands
Paper Clips
Pins
Brad fasteners
Disclaimer:
$0.05 each
$1.00 each
5 for $0.05 (Sold in multiples of 5)
2 ft for $0.05 (Sold in multiples of 2)
5 for $0.05 (Sold in multiples of 5)
5 for $0.05 (Sold in multiples of 5)
5 for $0.05 (Sold in multiples of 5)
5 for $0.05 (Sold in multiples of 5)
1. All prices are valid for quantity in stock.
2. Special order items will require 5 days processing.
3. We reserve the right to refuse service to an individual.
ALL SALES ARE FINAL!
1. Which type of bridge did the you and your partners build? ________________________
Evaluate
2. What problems did your team have?
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3. What would you do differently in a second attempt?
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4. Where are the weak and strong points of your bridge?
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5. Once constructed, the bridge must be able to:
- transport two “Relief Pods” simultaneously from one support block to the other.__________
-the Relief Pods must start and end on the support blocks.
__________
-cannot be attached to the supports.
__________
6. Failure is defined as the Relief Pods or any part of the bridge touching the water. __________
7. The team that successfully transports the Relief Pods the cheapest wins!
8. In the event of a tie, aesthetics will be the tie breaker. (1-10)
$__________
__________