Engineer- Companion Project
Engineer
This project is all about bridge design. Year 6 began their DT project analysing different bridge structures: the famous engineers who designed them and the importance and impact of the bridge to humans.
They then chose 2 of the different styles of bridge to compare their design, span and materials.
The next activity involved a practical element: testing designs to understand which framework made the best structure. This helped the children’s understanding of what makes a bridge strong. After each design was made the children tested the strength by adding 2 pence pieces, until the structure collapsed.
Ask your child to name different bridge structure types.
Testing bridge designs
Today’s task required partnerships to collaborate and use triangles to strengthen their designs. Each group were given a set amount of equipment and criteria to follow, as well as a timeframe to work within. Using the previous day’s knowledge of shape and design, the children built their first prototype.
Ask your child to explain the science behind triangles and why triangles give bridges strength.
Triangles for strength
Designing and creating a bridge prototype
The next phase of the project required the children to design a bridge, using the knowledge gained from the previous sessions. They would have to think about where and how they would create the triangles for strength yet still meet the design criteria. This included a minimum span of 80cm, no more than 50 art straws, 5m tape, be freestanding and stand firmly on 2 rowers of books.
After combining the best parts of each partner’s design, construction began. After a set amount of construction time, the testing process began- how many 2pence pieces could be supported before the bridge collapsed.
Design and construction
- Spilsby Primary School
- Woodlands Avenue,
- Spilsby,
- Lincolnshire,
- PE23 5EP
- T: 01790 752503