Sixth Grade Math - Bridge Design Contest
One of the highlights of the Sixth Grade year in math is the annual Bridge Design Contest. This is an extension assignment from the introductionary geometry unit. Using design thinking and interdisciplinary concepts (science, physics, Newton's Laws), students are given specific materials and asked to create one of several different designs including:
- The strongest bridge
- The most cost-effective bridge
- The longest bridge
- The widest bridge
- The most creative/unique bridge
Students are asked not only to construct the bridge but provide a proper scale drawing, a calculated budget and the bridges must be tested for strength.
The strength test is always fun for our students as they get to present their creation to the class and then see how the hold up against weight application.Click on the pictures to see a video of each bridge's strength test. Which do you think is the strongest?