Structures

Design and make a bridge

Design

• Designing a stable structure that is able to support weight.  

• Creating a frame structure with a focus on triangulation. 

Make

•Making a range of different shaped beam bridges. 

• Using triangles to create truss bridges that span a given distance and  support a load.  

• Building a wooden bridge structure. 

• Independently measuring and marking wood accurately.  

• Selecting appropriate tools and equipment for particular tasks. 

• Using the correct techniques to saws safely.  

• Identifying where a structure needs reinforcement and using card corners  for support. 

• Explaining why selecting appropriating materials is an important part of the design process.  

• Understanding basic wood functional properties.

Evaluate

•Adapting and improving own bridge structure by identifying points of  weakness and reinforcing them as necessary.  

• Suggesting points for improvements for own bridges and those designed by  others.

Technical Knowledge

• To understand some different ways to reinforce structures.  

• To understand how triangles can be used to reinforce bridges.  

• To know that properties are words that describe the form and function of  materials. 

• To understand why material selection is important based on properties. 

• To understand the material (functional and aesthetic) properties of wood.