stem activities the bridge for age 5+ - copper
TRANSCRIPT
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The BridgeSTEM
Activitiesfor age 5+
2The Bridge Challenge STEM Activities for age 5+
NOTE FOR PARENTSAGE GUIDE:
5+
You are the best judge of your child’s abilities so please only use this as a guide.
TIME:
60-90 minutes (approx)
NOTES: When younger children are involved in building the bridge be sure not to leave them unsupervised with sharp objects.This activity allows for flexibility to suit your family’s needs. You can set aside one afternoon or spread it across a number of evenings.
We find it works best when building your bridge as a team, encouraging multigenerational play.
YOU WILL NEED: The aim of this challenge is to use items you already have in your home. Some items we suggest are listed below, but feel free to be creative with what you can find:
• Paper rolls
• Paper cups
• String
• Gaffer tape
• Sellotape
• Bubble wrap
• Lollipop sticks
• Paper
• Cardboard cartons
5+
3The Bridge Challenge STEM Activities for age 5+
What is the purpose of a bridge?
A bridge transports something from
to …
across things it wouldn’t otherwise be able to travel across.
A B
A
B
4The Bridge Challenge STEM Activities for age 5+
What can bridges carry?
Roads UtilitiesRailways People and cyclists
Canals Aqueducts
6The Bridge Challenge STEM Activities for age 5+
Bridges from around the world
Here are examples of some weird and wonderful bridges from around the world…
7The Bridge Challenge STEM Activities for age 5+
Let’s take a look at the different types of bridge structures.
8The Bridge Challenge STEM Activities for age 5+
Bridge types: Beam bridges
A beam bridge is also known as a clapper bridge
This just uses tension and compression working together to hold up the main beam: this means it’s pushed in and pulled out at the same time.
But with no additional support, the tension can only support shorter bridges.
TensionCompression
9The Bridge Challenge STEM Activities for age 5+
Bridge types: Arch bridges
On an arch bridge, there is only compression – it’s a little bit like an unsprung spring.
The strength of compression bridges comes from each part pushing against the rest, which balances the forces (equilibrium).
But it’s difficult to make these bridges without very precise measurements.
TensionCompression
10The Bridge Challenge STEM Activities for age 5+
Bridge types: Truss bridges
Here, compression and tension work together.
Bridges that use both tension and compression to gain equilibrium are the strongest of all - but they’re often the most expensive to build, too.
TensionCompression
11The Bridge Challenge STEM Activities for age 5+
Considering the environment
When we design bridges, there are a lot of things to think about to make sure we avoid or reduce harm to the environment, people living close by or local natural habitats.
Some of the things we try to account for are:
Removing local plants and speciesWe sometimes have to make space for the bridge – so we try to replant these somewhere else or create new habitats for animals interrupted by the bridge.
Excavating the bedrockWe have to dig into the rocks below the ground to create foundations, which creates geological waste which we have to take away – this disrupts the natural lay of the land and causes extra traffic. So, we try to reduce this by reusing local materials in our design.
Noise and air pollutionCars driving across the bridge can bring noise and fumes to the area
where they weren't. We try to protect local people by absorbing pollution with the trees we plant
or noise-reducing screens.
12The Bridge Challenge STEM Activities for age 5+
The Challenge
13The Bridge Challenge STEM Activities for age 5+
Build your own bridge!
Use items you can find around your house – we provide some ideas on the next page.
The bridge must:
Have a span length of at least 50cm.
Have a deck supported by no more than two piers (not central).
Support loading on the deck at mid-span.
14The Bridge Challenge STEM Activities for age 5+
Materials
To build your bridge, you can use:
• Paper rolls
• Rubber bands
• Paper cups
• String
• Gaffer tape
• Glue
• Sellotape
• Bubble wrap
• Cotton wool
• Lollipop sticks
• Paper
• Cardboard cartons
Or any other crafty items you might have around the house.
15The Bridge Challenge STEM Activities for age 5+
Enter our competition
To enter the competition, send us a picture of your bridge along with your explanation and send them to: [email protected]
Your bridge will be judged on the following factors:
StrengthWhat techniques have you
used from the tutorial?
Environmental considerations
How does your bridge consider the environment?
Creative use of materials! Think about how you
would enhance the experience for people using the bridge.
Points will be awarded for an introduction to your bridge, explanations of the things you’ve included, why, and how you’ve applied what you learnt in the tutorial to your bridge. You can get creative with your introduction – you can write it, use pictures, or even make a video – but don’t forget, the most important thing is to show your working!
The Bridge Challenge STEM Activities for age 5+
GOOD LUCK!
All entries need to be sent to [email protected] by 12 noon on Friday 29th May.
The winner will be announced in our next online newsletter, The Copper Wire, in June. Make sure you’re signed up to receive it!
To read more about our STEMactivities, pleaseclick here.