Session 1 · DESIGN: Explore
Straw bridge challenge
- 5 minBrief: span 30 cm between two desks with 20 straws and 1 m of tape. Carry as many washers as you can.
- 30 minBuild in teams of three. One builder, one tester, one recorder, then swap.
- 15 minLoad test: add washers one at a time, measure how far the middle sags in millimetres, record the load at collapse. Where did it fail first?
Session 2 · DESIGN: Sketch
Write the brief and sketch ideas
- 10 minRead your context brief. Turn it into a specification: 'must hold 500 g', 'must be at least 60 cm tall', 'must not touch the river'.
- 20 minCrazy eights: eight quick sketches of different towers, bridges or frames in eight minutes.
- 15 minPick your two best. Draw them bigger with labels, measurements and arrows showing forces.
- 5 minPūkeko asks one question about your plan. Write your answer under your sketch.
Getting started
Use the specification starter card: 'Our model must…' and 'Our model should…'.
Stretch
Plot load against sag as a line graph and describe the pattern.
Checkpoint
Bridge test results recorded, a written specification, and two annotated sketches.
Activities for this week
- Straw truss bridge: How much load can a 30 cm bridge made from 20 straws carry, and where does it fail?
- Paper column challenge: Does the shape of a column change how much it can hold?
Useful this week
- Bridges and tunnels ↗ Photos and stories of how Aotearoa crossed rivers and gorges.
- Physical World: forces ↗ Clear explanations and activities about forces and motion.
- Triangles and trusses ↗ Diagrams showing why trusses use triangles and how forces travel.
- Tinkercad ↗ Free 3D modelling to draw your tower or bridge before building.