This week, we made our last moves before our final bridge project begins! We started the day by reading about all the planning that goes into bridge construction, from analyzing substrates to material selection to budgeting. Students completed the Bridge Up! "Mastering Materials" lesson, which was the favorite of the bunch. 

After exploring some resources on another cool bridge research source, a couple students discovered our new favorite engineering game... Bridge Designer! This game essentially derailed the rest of the afternoon in the best way possible. It is quite challenging and offered numerous teachable moments that will aid the students in the final project bridge designs. I haven't see a better online resource that helps student understand how bridges rely on opposing forces like this game does.

Some students finished the day by experimenting with hands-on bridge design using straws, hot glue, and popsicle sticks, and string. Next week, they will be split into bridge design teams, and start planning for their challenge!