Introduction to Second Grade Applications of Science -Bridges
This Second Grade Applications of Science -Bridges lesson teaches students about engineering, bridges, and structural stability. This lesson covers one of the Next Generation Science Standards* for Kindergarten through Second Grade for applications of science through engineering.
-Next Generation Science Standard* K-2-ETS1-1
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Materials List for Second Grade Applications of Science -Bridges
–Second Grade Applications of Science -Bridges Lesson
–large craft sticks
–hot glue gun
-items of known weights, such as 8 and 12 pound dumbbells
-2 chairs or other objects to act as abutments for your bridge
-2 flat pieces of cardboard
–Bridges: Amazing Structures to Design, Build & Test (Kaleidoscope Kids)
Step 1: Download the Second Grade Applications of Science -Bridges Lesson and complete the worksheets
Here is a sample worksheet from this lesson:
Step 2: Make the sides of the truss bridge
Begin by gluing together 4 craft sticks for the bottom of your truss. Then glue together 3 craft sticks for the top.
Put the top and bottom together by adding two craft sticks on the ends. The idea behind a truss is that you are using straight pieces and forming them into triangles for added strength and stability. Make your triangles by placing 6 craft sticks in the center of your truss.
Now, make another truss for the other side of the bridge.
Step 3: Make the deck and roof of your truss bridge
We put our truss on a bridge base that we used in our Quick Science lesson How Strong Is My Bridge? You do not need a bridge base for this lesson, but you are going to have to lean the truss sides against something while you glue down the deck.
The deck is the road surface. Glue 5 craft sticks on the bottom of your truss at each point of the triangles.
Now glue 4 craft sticks on the top of your bridge at the points of the triangles as well.
Step 4: Strengthen the top of your bridge
Add crossed sticks on the top of your bridge to give it even more stability.
Step 5: Cut a piece of cardboard to put down on the beams you put across the bottom
Our bridge wound up being about 3 1/2 inches across and 24 inches long. We cut a piece of cardboard to fit in there and drew a line like a road.
Here is a look at your bridge from the top and the side:
Step 6: Test out your bridge
Test out your bridge using two chairs as your abutments. See how much a single piece of cardboard can hold first.
Then see if your truss bridge can hold more than the single piece of cardboard. Ours held 24 pounds and the single piece of cardboard broke with only 8 pounds. This supports our research that triangles and trusses make structures stronger and more stable.
Step 7: Complete the assessment from the Second Grade Applications of Science -Bridges Lesson
Here is a sample assessment page from our lesson:
Step 8: Complete the Bridge Design Challenge!
We used two cardboard boxes, a piece of paper, popsicle sticks, and glue. The kids had to design a bridge that would hold rock fans going to a rock concert that night in town!
Once again, the triangle design worked best!
Source:
NGSS Lead States. 2013. Next Generation Science Standards: For States, By States. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
*”Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) is a registered trademark of Achieve. Neither Achieve nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of this product, and do not endorse it.”
