In term 1, we used kits to build 3 types of bridge: a Roman Arch bridge from clay ‘bricks’, a truss bridge using triangular sections and a suspension bridge.
In term 2, we did ‘The Bridge-Building Challenge.’
We were given 15 x 50cm lengths of 2mm square balsa wood.
We had to build a bridge:
* measuring 40cm long and 5 cm wide
* that weighed less than 100g
* let a model car freely roll across the ‘roadway’.
* support a mass of 2kg
All of our bridges passed, so . . . we added more mass until the bridges collapsed! Our 2 best bridges supported 7.5kg! See a slideshow of all our bridges and them being tested.