Educator Guide: Engineering:
Bridges Workshop
This document is a resource for teachers whose classes are participating in the Museum of Science’s Engineering: Bridges Workshop Traveling Program. The information in this document may be used as a classroom resource and/or as background information for the teacher concerning the subject of bridge engineering. Table of Contents:
Vocabulary List……………………………………………………………………………2
Further Background Reading…………………………………………………………...4
Suggested Classroom Materials……………………………………………...……... 6
Activity Descriptions………………………………………..…………………………...8
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Vocabulary List
Below are common terms that teachers may wish to be familiar with for the program. This list also suggests both basic and advanced vocabulary for students participating in the “Engineering: Bridges Workshop” program to be familiar with, though prior study of these words is not required for student participation. Abutments – the ends of an arch bridge that support the load and adjoins the bridge to the ground.
Arch – a curved structure that supports weight; usually found in doorways or in bridges.
Arch Bridge – a bridge that consists of a curved arch supported on both ends by an abutment. Traditional arch bridges use a keystone at the center to hold up the structure. Beam Bridge – a bridge that consists of a flat deck supported on both ends by an abutment.
Bridge – a structure built to span over certain physical obstacles, such as a mass of water, valley, ravine, road, etc.
Compression – a pushing, or squeezing, force.
Deck – the part of the bridge that is used for transporting the load; used as the roadway and/or the pedestrian walkway.
Design – to prepare and create according to plan. Draw Bridge – a moveable bridge with a leaf that can be brought to a standing position to provide clearance to boat traffic; also known as a bascule bridge.
Engineering – a field that applies science, mathematics, and technology to design and build human‐made structures and products useful to society.
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Force – a push or a pull. Some examples of forces are wind, gravity, and pushes from our muscles.
Gravity – the force that pulls objects down towards the center of the Earth.
Keystone – a wedge shaped stone piece at the apex of an arch. This is the final piece set in place during construction to lock all of the other stones into position. Although often made of stone, keystones can be made out of other materials, such as wood, plastic, and steel.
Load – the mass exerting force on the bridge; i.e.: people, cars, trains, etc. Pontoon Bridge – a bridge that floats on water by using barges to support the deck. Prototype – an original model serving as a pattern or example.
Suspension Bridge – a bridge that consists of a deck hung below suspension cables that are supported on vertical towers.
Tension – a pulling, or stretching, force. Torsion – a twisting force.
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Further Background Reading
This is a suggested reading list for teachers looking to improve their understanding of bridge engineering. Books
Bridge Engineering: Rehabilitation, and Maintenance of Modern Highway
Bridges. Demetrios Tonias. McGraw-Hill Professional. 2006.
Bridges: From My Side to Yours. Jan Adkins. Roaring Book Press. 2002.
Building Big. David Macaulay. Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. 2000.
Ultimate Building Book. Steven Caney. Running Press Kids. 2006.
Videos
Building Big: Bridges. DVD. 2004.
Links
How Arches Work –
http://www.freewebs.com/howarcheswork/index.htm
How Bridges Work –
http://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/civil/bridge6.htm
PBS: Building BIG Bridge Basics –
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/bridge/basics.html
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PBS: NOVA Build a Bridge –
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bridge/build.html
World’s Scariest Bridges –
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-35868704
Human Suspension Bridge Activity –
http://www.eweek.org/media/PDFs/elementary/Human%20Suspension%20Bridg
e.pdf
Engineering is Elementary, Museum of Science –
http://www.mos.org/eie/
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Classroom Materials
Below are some suggestions for books, videos, and websites to help children increase their understanding of bridge engineering. Books
Bridges! Amazing Structures to Design, Build &Test. Carol A. Johmann and
Michael P. Kline. Williamson Pub. 1999.
Bridges Are to Cross. Philemon Sturges. Puffin. 2003.
Engineering Elephants. Emily M. Hunt. AuthorHouse. 2010.
Engineering the ABC’s: How Engineers Shape Our World. Patty O’Brien Novak.
Ferne press. 2009.
Javier Builds a Bridge. Engineering is Elementary. Museum of Science, Boston.
2005.
Rocks, Jeans, and Busy Machines: An Engineering Kids Storybook. Raymundo
Rivera. Rivera Engineering. 2010.
Videos
1) Curious George. Season 2. Episode 13: A Bridge to Farm
Synopsis: When George sees six stranded chicks on an island in a pond itʹs monkey to the rescue! George tries out several plans. Floating on his back as a monkey life raft is only temporarily successful so George looks for design inspiration in the local railroad and truss bridges. Using marshmallows, toothpicks and playing cards George constructs and then reconstructs a bridge strong enough to support one, then two, and then all six loud peeping chicks ‐ and even the Mother Hen! Video Educational Objective: To show that structures are made up of parts. Individual episodes can be purchased at:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003332OQ4/ref=atv_dp_season_select?ie=
UTF8&redirect=true
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2) Peep and the Big Wide World. Season 1. Episode 20: Bridge the Gap
Synopsis: The birds discover pineapples (theyʹre pinecones, actually) but must build a bridge to reach them.
Full episode can be viewed at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssLfQikVKmE
Links
Exploratorium’s File Card Bridges –
http://www.exploratorium.edu/science_explorer/card_bridge.html
PBS Zoom Engineering Activities –
http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/sci/
Building Big: Shapes Lab –
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/lab/shapes.html
Museum of Science, Discovery Center: Paper Bridge Engineering –
http://www.mos.org/discoverycenter/aotm/2011/02
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Activity Descriptions
See the “Documents” section on the website to download these activities. Paper Bridge Engineering
Whether going over a river, railroad or highway, bridges serve as useful structures to get from here to there. However, it takes a lot of planning and designing to make the best bridge for a specific location. Although bridge designs may vary around the world, all bridge engineers have to consider the materials needed for their plan, how the bridge will be used, and how the local climate will affect their idea. In this classic activity, students will design, test, and re‐design their own paper bridges. Build a Cofferdam
There are many bridges around the world with different functions and purposes. However, when building over the water, bridge construction can undergo special obstacles. To span such a space, many bridges have support piers that descend into the water, but how do engineers create these piers in the first place? Whether made of wood, steel, or concrete, making piers that reach bedrock, while dealing with rushing currents, can present a huge challenge. In this activity, students will learn how engineers use cofferdams to create bridge foundations under water, and create a model cofferdam in the classroom. 8