Toothpick Bridge Project

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	The eighth grade is the midst of their toothpick bridge project with Mr. Eldridge. In this unit students explore the design process as they learn about bridges, the forces that hold bridges up and various aspects involved in the design and construction of bridges. The project begins with students doing internet research on different types of bridges and how compression and tension forces allow them to hold up massive loads. In the second phase of the project students test the strength of toothpicks and various joints made with toothpicks and two basic truss bridges.

	Here students are constructing a triangle truss bridge.

	Here students are testing two basic truss bridge designs, a rectangle truss and a triangle truss. Students then compare the relative strengths of each of these designs.


	When this phase is complete, working in small groups, students use the knowledge gained in the first phases of the project to design their own truss. Students are striving to make the strongest possible bridge with a limited amount of material.

	Once their designs are complete the students construct and test their bridges to see how strong they are. Our past record holder held 25 pounds!

	Once all the testing is done the bridges’ performances are analyzed using EXCEL.

Kent Center School 9 Judd Avenue, P.O. Box 219, Kent CT 06757 860-927-3537
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	June 2007	Copyright © 2007 Kent Center School All Rights Reserved.