Planning and Processes in Engineering Your Bridge
DECISIONS
1. Type of Bridge!
After reading your articles and viewing the types of bridges, the functions of
various bridges and about some of the most famous bridges in the world, "What
type of bridge has your group chosen?" and "Why?"
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2. Your Plan!
You must consider the "Structural Issues" that your bridge may incur. You must
discuss the following:
 Will your final bridge be able to withstand mass of 2#, 5#, 10# and even
20#?
 Will you need to consider tension and compression?
 What geometric shapes will support your beams?
 Will you use trusses?
 In the plans, it clearly states it must be more than 14 inches long. Will you
be able to plan for this?
 What materials are you allowed and how many popsicle sticks do you think
you will need?
 Will these provided materials be able to handle your design?
 Have you considered what parts of your bridge will need further thought or
special considerations when constructing?
 Does your bridge meet the aesthetic issues? Is it appealing and pleasant to
look like?
 Have you considered various forms and shapes?
3. As shown in your Student Resource Packet, and as we have discussed in
"Thinking Like an Engineer," you must draw your first "protyel" or design.
This should include both a
Type of Bridge: SIDE VIEW Top and Side View.
TOP VIEW CONSTRUCTION !
1. As a group, do you like the design/ drawing of your bridge? Are you
PROTOTYPE IS NEXT!
1. Your group is going to make the prototype of your popsicle bridge with
toothpicks. Your group will be allowed to use toothpicks and mini
marsmallows.
2. You must devise a plan of your bridge construction on the planning paper.
You must decide how many squares will represent a popsicle stick. Ex. 3
vertical squares = 4 popsicle sticks. We want it to be in scale .
3. Once you agree on the design, you are to build your prototype. Each group
is to count out 100 toothpicks and a Dixie cup of mini marshmallows.
4. Together, you build your prototype with your plan. Take notes, modify
your plan as you work, listen to other suggestions, try out different
ideas…..Arches? Beams? Solid or Lattice? Trusses? Triangles? Crosses?
Once you have built your prototype, you must discuss:
1. What changes, if any, need to be made before building the “big"
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2. Double check to make sure you have applied the scientific principles of design,
that you have read the criteria, you have remembered key things such as Mass,
Gravity, Strength, Aesthetics, Function, Force.
3. Build your bridge you have designed! Think like an Engineer! Teamwork is a
must!
CONSTRUCTION: 2-3 weeks so you must be on task, focused and use time
effectively! Good Luck Engineers! Keep referring to your plans and you may
need to make changes along the way. SCAMPER!!!!
TESTING! (#1)
Now that you have constructed your bridge, you must think like an engineer. Did
you engineer a bridge that will meet all the requirements of the
project/assignment?
1. What scientific principles were applied following your design/drawing?
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2. Did you have problems during construction? If so, what were they?
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3. Explain the steps in your construction process.
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MORE STEPS?
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4. What happened when you tested your bridge? Did if fail? Explain why.
Plan? Materials? Construction Process? Teamwork? Meeting Goal of Project?
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5. What is successful? Explain why.
Plan? Materials? Construction Process? Teamwork? Meeting Goal of Project?
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6. If it failed, what changes do you propose in your design? Explain. Will it
involve the amount of materials? Design? Construction Process?
NEW DESIGN TESTING #2 (IF NEEDED)
Results:
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NEXT STEPS! YOUR PRESENTATION OF YOUR ENGINEERING
PROJECT (YOUR BRIDGE) AND YOUR SPEECH!
SAVE THIS GROUP PACKET. IT WILL BE ESSENTIAL IN
PRESENTING YOUR SPEECH WITH YOUR GROUP!
Hint:
The Speech will discuss the 3 Components of this Project:
1. Type of Bridge; Structural, Aesthetics and Scientific Principles of gravity,
force, mass, strength, etc.
2.Construction and Testing
3. Analyzing Design/Summary and Comparing and Contrasting to Other Bridges
using the questions provided in Student Resource Packet!