Our 5th class students recently took on an exciting Bridge Building Experiment as part of their science unit on materials and engineering! In this hands-on project, students worked in teams to design and construct bridges that could span 30 cm and support a weight of 1 kg.
Using a variety of materials like popsicle sticks, cardboard, plastic, card, paper, string, and glue, each team investigated the strength, flexibility, and durability of different materials to determine the best choices for building a stable structure. Through this experiment, they explored how properties like tensile strength, compression, and balance are crucial in engineering. Each bridge was tested with weights to see if it could withstand the 1 kg load without collapsing—a thrilling way for students to apply scientific principles and problem-solving skills to a real-world challenge! This experiment was a fun and educational experience that brought content we learned in our SESE books to life, helping students develop both their scientific understanding and their teamwork skills.
