Building BIG!!
Towers / Bridges
15-20
Embedded Files
Key unit vocabulary
Suggested Materials
Suggested Materials
toothpicks bulk toothpicks available
hot glue/glue guns
alternatively, wood glue or standard white Elmer's glue
Balsa wood sheets1-2 sheets per group
graph paper (for architectural blue prints)
Miscellaneous objects/weights to test
twine/string
Entry Challenge - STRONG OR TALL
A maximum of 10.0 grams of standard toothpicks (maximum length of 8 cm) or 1/8 balsa wood may be used
Wood may be cut and glued in any way
Tower must be a minimum of 10 CMS or 4 inches tall and holds 12 oz 3.5 KG without breaking (can of soda)
The mass will be put on top of the tower or hanging in a bucket down through the tower
You have one minute to test the tower.
*** There is a major trick, look what happens to points if the tower is tall!!! But will it weigh more and cost you points.
Teacher Resources
Toothpick Tower Teacher Slides
Technical drawing and toothpick structures
Summative Task Form (Alternative to Design process)
Student Resources
Engineering.com: Bridge builder simulator (engagement activity or supplemental when finished)
Toothpick Tower Hints
ONE NICKEL IS FIVE GRAMS, SO THE TOWER MUST HAVE A TOTAL MASS OF NO MORE THAN 2 NICKELS.
1. 150 standard flat toothpicks has a mass of 10.0 grams. The glue itself has mass and can make quite a difference.
2. White or wood glue works best. The instant glues may be dangerous for messy and inattentive students. Hot glue is VERY heavy. The number of toothpicks used will drastically drop if hot glue from hot glue guns is used.
3. A standard RED BRICK is about 2 kilograms to give you an idea about the weight
4. A testing device will be used in class. A bucket and a board and a 1 kg mass are balanced on top of the tower. This is the minimum the tower must hold to earn a grade.
5. The students load the bricks or masses. It takes the responsibility off the teacher.
Suggested Sequence of Construction
1. Cut a piece of cardboard from a cardboard box, about the size of a standard piece of paper.
2. Draw the plans for making the tower. Use a ruler and draw it on a piece of paper. What ever size it is drawn will be the same size it is made.
3. Tape the plans on the cardboard. Tape a piece of wax paper over the plans. White and wood glue does not stick to wax paper very well, so when building, the toothpicks may be glued directly over the plans.
4. I suggest that all three or four sides be built, then all the side be glued together.
Design Hints - triangles are much stronger than squares. A triangle in a square will stop the square from deforming and breaking.
1. Wood is stronger under tension than under compression. In other words, wooden can be pulled more without breaking than it can be pushed.
2. The point system is designed for students to decide on what to emphasize. The design parameters allow one or two areas to be emphasized, but make it difficult if not impossible for a student to make a tower that is tall, light and capable of holding 15 kilograms.
Extension Activity - Based upon class pacing
This project focuses on the empowered learner and teamwork. Each member has certain jobs they must do and certain jobs they can not due. You could select CEO's and then have a secrete draft or assign students to teams to fit their ability.
Potential Intro Activities to Build a Foundation of Construction and Structures
Potential Intro Activities to Build a Foundation of Construction and Structures
Build a Tower (Great to teach before the more difficult bridge project)
Independent unit: Bridges Playlist (Unit could be presented independently in conjunction with another unit, or while students are also completing Bonzai digital citizenship unit)
Bridge Hazard Planning guide (add on as a final design sketch guide)
Student Handout - Provide a digital copy to every student and a printed copy to each group.
Optional Mini Additional Lessons
Optional Mini Additional Lessons
Teacher Resources: DO NOT Show entire video. You can break out parts to a specific topic. Building Big Bridges & Building Big Skyscrapers
13 Min Video - Bridges and Forces
Bridge Designer Download Page (ONLY WORKS ON PC's, students could download it at home a practice or you could put on your station as a class)
IMPORTANT TIPS
IMPORTANT TIPS
Build the two side views of the bridge first, then connect the trusts.
Use Flat tooth picks.
Design the bridge on poster board, cover with wax paper and build the side view.
Use glue effectively - Rub small amounts of glue ON CONTACT surfaces ONLY. Do not poor glue over sticks, it will not work.
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