TEKS 1.6-8-C

Age / Subject

MS / Scientific & Engineering Practices

Description

Use appropriate safety equipment and practices during laboratory, classroom, and field investigations as outlined in the Texas Education Agency approved safety standards

NGSS MS-PS3-5

Age / Subject

Middle School / Phs. Science

Description

Construct, use, and present arguments to support the claim that when the kinetic energy of an object changes, energy is transferred to or from the object.

NGSS MS-PS3-2

Age / Subject

Middle School / Phs. Science

Description

Develop a model to describe that when the arrangement of objects interacting at a distance changes, different amounts of potential energy are stored in the system.

NGSS MS-PS2-1

Age / Subject

Middle School / Phs. Science

Description

Apply Newton’s Third Law to design a solution to a problem involving the motion of two colliding objects.*

NGSS 4-PS3-4

Age / Subject

4th Grade, Physical Science

Description

Apply scientific ideas to design, test, and refine a device that converts energy from one form to another.

NGSS 4-PS3-3

Age / Subject

4th Grade, Physical Science

Description

Ask questions and predict outcomes about the changes in energy that occur when objects collide

NGSS 4-PS3-2

Age / Subject

4th Grade, Physical Science

Description

Make observations to provide evidence that energy can be transferred from place to place by sound, light, heat, and electric currents

NGSS 4-PS3-1

Age / Subject

4th Grade, Physical Science

Description

Use evidence to construct an explanation relating the speed of an object to the energy of that object

NGSS 3-5-ETS1

Age / Subject

3rd-5th / Engineering Design

Description

Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.

Bridge Project

Explore Concepts & Careers around BRIDGES before building / testing one of your own!
Category 
Civil Engineering, Supply Chain, Welding, Infrastructure
Videos
5 Instructional Videos
Estimated Length
3-4 Hours of Programming

Objective: 
In the Balsa Wood Bridge Project, Students will apply principles of engineering and physics to design, construct, and test a truss-style bridge made of balsa wood that can span a defined distance and support weight.🌉
‍
Set in the fictional city of STIIX-Ville, students will address a real-world challenge of connecting two sides of a growing community separated by a river. Through this project, students will explore structural integrity, load distribution, and teamwork while documenting their process and analyzing the performance of their design.🏙️

View Lesson Plan
Get Quote
Recommended Grades

Intro Video

The intro video explains some background of the bridge project and how it relates to the real world.

2 min

Academic Video

The intro video explains some background of the bridge project and how it relates to the real world.

8 min

"How To" Video

The intro video explains some background of the bridge project and how it relates to the real world.

8 min

Testing & Evaluation

The intro video explains some background of the bridge project and how it relates to the real world.

4 min

Bonus Video

The intro video explains some background of the bridge project and how it relates to the real world.

1 min

Intro Video

Check out the introductory video to learn about the background of bridges, how they relate to the real world, and the lessons we want you to take away from this activity!

3 min

Academic Video

Tune in to learn about the STEM principles behind the bridge build. Take advantage of this video and use these concepts to your advantage to build a strong & sturdy bridge!

8 min

"How To" Video

Check out a walk through of the bridge building process-along with some bonus tips for making it extra strong!

8 min

Testing & Evaluation

Tune in to see just how to test your bridge once you have a project you are proud of!

4 min

Bonus Video

Tune in to hear our friend Tyler talk about his bridge building experience in real life!

1 min

Check out these resources

Lesson Plan

Details process for how to lead activity with class.

How-To Sheet

Step-by-step sheets for students to reference.

Activity Guide

Supplemental worksheet to complement project.

Quiz

Ensure students comprehend the at-hand topics!

Answer Key(s)

Answers to the Activity Guide & Quiz documents.

Template

Some of our favorite designs to model after.

Before class...tune in here!

Project Tips

Before leading a project, please check out this quick video which goes over some helpful tips and things to keep in mind while working on the activity with your classroom.

3 min

NGSS

3-5-ETS1-1
4-PS3-1
4-PS3-2
4-PS3-3
4-PS3-4
MS-PS2-1
MS-PS3-2
MS-PS3-5

TEKS

1.6-8-C