Straw Bridge Lesson Plan

Lesson Plan – Straw Bridge Design Challenge
Grade Level
Topics Covered

Gr 4 and up
Straw Bridge Design Challenge

Objectives

General:
 Students will work in teams to design and build a bridge using plastic straws and tape. (masking or scotch) The models will be tested by adding weight to them until they collapse. Grade-Specific Prescribed Learning Outcomes (BC Curriculum):
 SCIENCE: Processes of Science
 Grade 4: Make predictions, supported by reason and relevant to the content
(Designing a bridge and predicting how it would do)
 Grade 5: Identify variables that can be changed in an experiment (Changing the shapes used to build the bridge, number of straws used, length of straws)
 Grade 6: Apply solutions to a technical problem
(How would you improve on your bridge design? What geometric shapes could you use?)
 Grade 7: Create models that help to explain scientific concepts and hypotheses
(Designing blueprint, making predictions, testing those predictions, reflecting on how we learn from mistakes/failures)  MATH: Measurement and 3-D Objects and 2-D
Shapes
 Grade 4: Describe and construct rectangular and triangular shapes (C4)
 Grade 5: Describe and provide examples of edges and faces of 3-D objects, and sides of 2-D shapes that are parallel, intersecting, perpendicular, vertical, horizontal (C5)
 Grade 6: Construct and compare triangles (C4)
 Grade 7: Perform geometric constructions (C3)

Materials

SWBAT (students will be able to):
1. Describe and design different types of bridges
2. Identify effective geometric shapes used in bridge design
3. Identify factors that civil engineers consider when designing bridges
 50 plastic straws per team
 Tape for each team

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Scissors for each team
Handout for each team
Measuring tape/Ruler
2 tables/desks that can be separated 30 cm apart

A small paper/plastic cup or container and small objects that can be used as weight. Marbles are a good idea. Each marble can represent
1 car.
Preparation
Beforehand