Ultimate Connections

Overview

Through the study of the unit Ultimate Connections, students will gain an understanding of the technological development of bridges and the impact bridges have had on society throughout history. Students will demonstrate the importance of bridge design and apply scientific and mathematical principles to the physical science of bridge building through constructing model bridges to test for their strength.

While participating in this unit the students will learn how to apply abstract concepts, such as stress, the law of gravity and other forces of nature, and the strength of different geometric shapes.  Working in cooperative groups, student contractors operate simulated architectural firms to create strong, economical bridges and account for construction costs.  The construction teams will design and build a model bridge of wooden toothpicks from specifications given in the contest rules and code.  The construction teams must also keep schedules, inventory records, and balance sheets of costs.  Each model toothpick bridge will be evaluated and judged for economy of design, neatness, and accuracy (that is, how well they match their plans) before they are judged for strength. 

Essential Questions: Ultimate Connections 

1. What impact have bridges had on society throughout history?

2. What are the different types of bridges, and where would each type best be used?

3. How can one build a longer, stronger, lighter bridge using the smallest amount of resources?

Ultimate Connections:  Assessments

• Teacher Prepared Pre-test
• Teacher Prepared Post-test
• Criteria Met to Enter Bridge Contest
• Rubric for Bridge Building Company
• Rubric for 4 – Bridge Graphic Organizer
• Teacher Observation
• Oral Assessment:  Questions and Discussions
•  Checklist of Duties and Responsibilities for Bridge Building Companies
• Audit of Bridge Building Company’s  Financial Records

   

  Ultimate Connections

  Vocabulary

   

  compression

  tension

  bending

  shear

  torsion

  load

  dead load

  live load

  deck

  abutment

  span

  foundation

  pier

  gephyrophobia

  arch bridge

  suspension bridge

  beam bridge

  composite bridge

  cable-stayed

  truss

  truss bridge

  cantilever

  rebar

  pozzolana

  cofferdam

Resources 

 Books

Math Projects Series:  Building Toothpick Bridges by Jeanne Pollard

ISBN # 0-86651-266-7

Dale Seymour Publications

Kids Discover:  Bridges   (a class set)

ISSN# 1054-2868

Phone:  212/677-4457

Bridges!  A Kaleidoscope Kids Book

ISBN # 1-885593-30-9

Williamson Publishing Company

Videos

Building Big Bridges with David Macaulay

800-949-8670

VideoStreaming “Understanding Bridges”

Literature Connections

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

ISBN #  0-06440-184-7

The Three Billy Goats Gruff:  (Point of View) by Alvin Granowsky

ISBN # 0-8114-7128-4