Popsicle Stick Bridge Bonanza!

6th Grade

Project
1 week

Popsicle Stick Bridge Bonanza!

Ariannie A

Purpose

Engage in an immersive exploration of engineering principles by designing and constructing a popsicle stick bridge. This project challenges you to balance strength, cost, and aesthetics while working within material constraints. Throughout the week, you'll collaborate, reflect, and iterate on your designs, culminating in a strength test that evaluates your bridge's performance against your initial predictions. This hands-on experience aims to deepen your understanding of real-world engineering applications and enhance your problem-solving skills.

Learning goals

Develop an understanding of engineering principles by designing and constructing a model bridge using popsicle sticks. Learn to balance factors such as strength, cost, and aesthetics within the constraints of limited materials. Enhance skills in planning and collaboration by creating a blueprint and seeking peer feedback. Cultivate reflective thinking through daily journaling about challenges, solutions, and personal growth throughout the project.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.G.A.1: Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving area, surface area, and volume.
NGSS - MS-ETS1-2: Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.1: Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.

Products

Construct a detailed blueprint of your bridge design, showcasing your understanding of engineering principles and material constraints. Build a functional model bridge using popsicle sticks, ensuring it reflects your blueprint's balance of strength, cost, and aesthetics. Document your bridge's performance during the strength test, and compile a comprehensive project journal that includes your daily reflections, challenges, solutions, and insights gained throughout the process.

Launch

Begin by watching a short video showcasing different types of bridges around the world, highlighting their unique designs and purposes. Engage in a class discussion to explore what makes each bridge effective and aesthetically pleasing. Then, brainstorm in small groups to list the key factors that contribute to a successful bridge, considering strength, cost, and aesthetics. Conclude the launch by sketching initial ideas for your bridge design, setting the stage for the week's project.

Exhibition

Organize a Bridge Showcase where you display your completed bridge models alongside your blueprints and journals. Invite classmates, teachers, and family members to explore your work and learn about your design process. Facilitate a gallery walk where you can view and provide feedback on each other's projects, focusing on the balance of strength, cost, and aesthetics. Conclude with a reflection session where you share insights gained and celebrate the creativity and engineering skills demonstrated throughout the project.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Bridge Video Exploration - Begin by watching a short video showcasing different types of bridges around the world, highlighting their unique designs and purposes, and engage in a class discussion to explore what makes each bridge effective and aesthetically pleasing (20 min) Brainstorming Session - In small groups, brainstorm and list the key factors that contribute to a successful bridge, considering strength, cost, and aesthetics (15 min) Initial Sketching - Sketch initial ideas for your bridge design, setting the stage for the week's project (10 min)	Blueprint Drafting - Design and sketch a detailed blueprint of your bridge model, incorporating elements of cost efficiency and aesthetics (25 min) Peer Feedback - Present your blueprint to a peer for feedback and refine your design based on the suggestions received (15 min) Reflection Journal - Record your thoughts on the challenges faced and solutions discovered in your reflection journal (5 min)	Material Exploration - Review the properties of the materials available, such as popsicle sticks and glue, to understand their strengths and limitations (10 min) Construction Basics - Start building the base of your bridge model following your blueprint, focusing on foundational strength (30 min) Reflection Journal - Document the progress made and any adjustments required in your reflection journal (5 min)	Structural Enhancement - Continue constructing your bridge, adding elements to enhance stability and balance while adhering to your blueprint (30 min) Design Aesthetics - Focus on the aesthetic aspects of your bridge, ensuring it aligns with your design intentions (10 min) Reflection Journal - Reflect on the day's building process and any emerging challenges or insights in your reflection journal (5 min)	Final Construction - Complete the construction of your bridge model, ensuring it aligns with your blueprint and design goals (20 min) Strength Testing - Conduct a strength test of your bridge model, document the results, and compare them to your initial predictions (15 min) Final Reflection - Reflect on the overall project, discussing the learning experience, challenges faced, and skills developed, and document this in your reflection journal (10 min)
Deliverables	1. A detailed blueprint of your bridge design, incorporating considerations for strength, cost, and aesthetics. 2. A completed model bridge constructed from popsicle sticks, reflecting your blueprint's design. 3. A documented strength test of your bridge, including results and reflections compared to initial predictions. 4. A comprehensive project journal with daily reflections, challenges, solutions, and insights.
Preparation	1. Prepare a short video showcasing different types of bridges around the world to inspire design ideas. 2. Gather materials including popsicle sticks, glue, rulers, graph paper, pencils, and erasers for sketching blueprints. 3. Ensure access to devices for watching videos and documenting reflections, such as tablets or computers. 4. Set up a space for a class discussion to explore bridge designs and their effectiveness. 5. Organize materials for the strength test, such as weights or other objects to test bridge durability.