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Structures Tester

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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