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Do you need help? Before asking Dr. Pollina ➔
Topic: Engineering
SMART GOAL SPECIFIC SENTENCE: I will learn about Engineering using the Structure Tester
HOW TO SAVE: Leave your bridges on the table in the back of the STEM lab > Wrap your wood/glue with a rubberband and leave it next to your bridge
Design and test your own balsa wood Bridge! Most students try to hold up 150 Newtons of force.
You must have a gap in the center of your bridge for the pole to fit in the middle. (Ask Dr. Pollina to show you)
Doubling up supports or foundations is a great way to strengthen your bridge!
Vernier Website
What I'll Learn
I CAN learn about simple machines and how they are used every day
I CAN understand how engineers design and test bridges
I CAN use the engineering design process to create simple machines and bridges
Stuff I'll Need
10 sticks of Balsa wood
4 hot glue sticks (1 per work day)
Bridge Design Planning Paper
Tutorial Video
Patience
Day 1
Use the tutorial to draw/design your bridge, start cutting wood
Day 3
Continue working on your bridge, symmetry will help its sturdiness!
Day 2
Start using the hot glue gun to attach the wood beams together
Day 4
Finish using ALL of your materials to make it as sturdy as possible
Then, TEST IT! Here are the CLASS RECORDS
1st
Maggie Volpe & Claire Yehle - 432 Newtons
2nd
Leo Halperin - 419 Newtons
3rd
Josh Jensen - 413 Newtons
4th
Brendan Sheeler - 361 Newtons
5th
Jackson Carter - 347 Newtons
6th
Conor Lillis & Luca Marchese - 333 Newtons
Where is this used in the Real World?
Bridge design
Newer bridges are being designed every year!
Material testing
Scientists research structural integrity for all kinds of materials!
Simulations
Engineers simulate all kinds of structures to test sturdiness
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