Volunteer Joyce Hudson’s Bridge Building Experiment for 3rd Graders at DC’s Payne Elementary
EXPERIMENT 1
OBJECTIVE:
Build a structure that can support the most possible weight.
MATERIALS:
- Wooden Clothespins
- Binder Clips –3/4 inch wide
- Colored Jumbo Craft Sticks – 6 inches long
- Books
PROCEDURE:
Have children break out into teams of 3-4 and challenge them to build structures that support weight. They will use the binder clips to attach the clothespins and craft sticks to build supports for books. Two clothespins with a craft stick between them make great supports for a structure. The more books supported, the better. Try using triangles in the design (since triangles are a stronger shape).
VOCABULARY:
Support, engineering, structure
WHAT THEY LEARN:Explore with different ways to build supporting structures. What types of structures are more stable? Also a great activity for hand-eye coordination.
