Bridges: Engineering Marvels!

Science Grades 5th Grade 6:44 Video
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Lesson Description

Explore the amazing world of bridge engineering! Learn about different bridge types, the forces that keep them standing, and how engineers design these incredible structures.

Video Resource

How engineers build different bridges

Interesting Engineering

Duration: 6:44
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Tension, compression, and load are forces acting on bridges.
  • Different bridge types (arch, beam, truss, cantilever, suspension, cable-stayed, movable) are suited for different situations.
  • Bridge design considers the environment and purpose of the bridge.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify and describe the three main forces acting on bridges.
  • Students will be able to differentiate between various bridge types and explain their advantages and disadvantages.
  • Students will be able to explain how engineers consider different factors when designing bridges.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students what they know about bridges. Show a picture of a local bridge and ask them what they think makes it stay up. Introduce the video.
  • Video Viewing (7 mins)
    Play the 'How engineers build different bridges' video from Interesting Engineering. Encourage students to take notes on the different types of bridges and the forces discussed.
  • Discussion (10 mins)
    Lead a class discussion about the video. Focus on the different types of bridges, the forces acting on them, and why engineers choose specific designs. Use discussion questions to guide the conversation.
  • Interactive Activity: Bridge Building (15 mins)
    Divide students into small groups and provide them with materials such as straws, tape, and string. Challenge them to build their own miniature bridges, experimenting with different designs and considering the forces involved. (See 'Interactive Exercises')
  • Wrap-up and Assessment (8 mins)
    Review the key concepts of the lesson. Administer the multiple-choice quiz to assess student understanding.

Interactive Exercises

  • Bridge Building Challenge
    Divide students into groups and provide them with materials like straws, tape, string, and small weights (e.g., washers). Their task is to build a bridge that can span a certain distance (e.g., 30 cm) and hold a certain weight. This allows them to apply the concepts of tension, compression, and different bridge designs in a hands-on way.

Discussion Questions

  • What are the three main forces that act on a bridge?
  • What are some of the different types of bridges that you saw in the video?
  • Why do engineers choose different types of bridges for different situations?
  • Can you think of a bridge in our community? What type of bridge is it, and why do you think that type was chosen?

Skills Developed

  • Critical thinking
  • Problem-solving
  • Observation
  • Engineering
  • Collaboration

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What are the three main forces that act on a bridge?

Correct Answer: Tension, compression, and load

Question 2:

Which type of bridge uses an arch to distribute the load?

Correct Answer: Arch bridge

Question 3:

Which type of bridge is suspended by cables attached to towers?

Correct Answer: Suspension bridge

Question 4:

Why might engineers choose a suspension bridge for a long crossing?

Correct Answer: They can span long distances

Question 5:

What part of the bridge is usually comprised of abutments at the bridge's ends and piers?

Correct Answer: Substructure

Question 6:

What type of bridge is the Golden Gate Bridge?

Correct Answer: Suspension Bridge

Question 7:

What is a horizontal structure only supported on one end?

Correct Answer: Cantilever

Question 8:

What shape are the supports of truss bridges?

Correct Answer: Triangle

Question 9:

In cable stayed bridges, the diagonal cables meet at what point?

Correct Answer: The midpoint of two towers

Question 10:

What type of bridge has a drawbridge at its midpoint?

Correct Answer: Tower Bridge

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The stability of a bridge depends on the balance of ________, compression, and load.

Correct Answer: tension

Question 2:

A _______ bridge has horizontal beams supported by piers.

Correct Answer: beam

Question 3:

________ bridges can be assembled on site with pre-fabricated parts.

Correct Answer: Truss

Question 4:

__________ bridges are used for long crossings with lengths spanning up to 7000 feet.

Correct Answer: Suspension

Question 5:

Bridges are built from the _________ up.

Correct Answer: ground

Question 6:

The part of the bridge above the substructure is the __________.

Correct Answer: superstructure

Question 7:

Arch bridges evenly disperse the _________ across.

Correct Answer: load

Question 8:

Cantilever bridges are horizontal structures only supported on _______ end.

Correct Answer: one

Question 9:

Towers transfer forces from the cables to the foundation through vertical _________.

Correct Answer: compression

Question 10:

The Tower Bridge is an example of a __________ bridge.

Correct Answer: movable

Educational Standards

5.PS1.1:[Standard] Develop a model to describe that matter is made of particles too small to be seen. 5.PS2.1:[Standard] Support an argument, with evidence, that Earth's gravitational force pulls objects downward toward the center of the earth. 5.ESS3.1:[Standard] Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environments.

Teaching Materials

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