Bridges

First grade started a bridge unit today! I wanted them to be hands on from the very beginning so didn't do my usual background knowledge of types of bridges and what makes bridges strong...I decided to mix it up a bit and this will come next lesson. Instead, today, I gave them 4 challenges and just two materials. They had snap (unifex) cubes and popsicle sticks and were to try 4 designs:

1. A bridge that went from one stool to another

2. A double decker bridge between stools

3. A bridge that held the most weight possible (weighed by adding tubs of Play-Doh on top)

4. The longest bridge possible

Students had so much fun and no one bridge looked like the other around the room! We plan to learn lots about bridges and build many more (and more intricate) bridge designs in the coming weeks!