Scientific Method Bridge Building and Measurement

Smartboard Lesson
by Jeanine Humphrey
Essential Questions: What tools are used for measurement? Can we work together and design a workable bridge that meets the requirements and how can we take what we have learned and apply it to our bridge design?
Use this smartboardlesson activity as a reinforcement lesson with the Scientific Method and Scientific Inquiry.
Mini-lesson: Discuss observations and findings from bridge building, elements of support, and the job of a structural engineer. The students are going to become engineers to design a bridge in cooperative learning groups meeting the specific measurements. Devise a plan to hold the most weight without falling.
Guided Practice: Together with the students create a plan for the experiment using the scientific method. Design a bridge meeting the requirements that will hold the most weight.
Reflect to communicate the results from the experiment and share observations for teacher assessment.