Lesson 1: Bridge Challenge

Back to Lesson 1

Challenge

Design a bridge that allows a small toy car to traverse the bridge while also supporting a 1 kg mass.

Required Setup

• Two tables or supports set 18 inches apart
• A small toy car for testing

Suggested Materials

• Cardboard sheets or scraps
• Popsicle sticks
• Cardstock or paper
• Tape, glue, or rubber bands
• 1 kg mass for testing

Goal for Your Team

Build a bridge that spans the gap, lets the toy car cross successfully, and stays strong under the required load.

TODO

• Add a student worksheet for defining the problem, constraints, and success criteria.
• Add step-by-step build and testing instructions for the bridge challenge.
• Add a planning section for sketching bridge ideas and choosing materials.
• Add a test data table for recording span success, car traversal, load support, and revisions.
• Add reflection questions tied to the engineering design process used in Lesson 1.