Bridges Connecting Our Lives

1. Bridges Connecting Our Lives An 8th Grade Interdisciplinary Unit on the Engineering Design Process (Adapted from the NEU STEM Team) By Lorraine Levinson

2. Introduction Throughout this unit, you will apply your knowledge of forces and motion and the engineering design process to design a prototype bridge (from pasta) that will fit the design criteria of various scenarios. Your prototypes will be evaluated based on whether they fit the given scenario and how much of a load they can withstand. This activity will give you an opportunity to become comfortable with the engineering design process and will broaden your understanding of the significance of bridges in the real world.

3. Task • Brainstorm a list of famous bridges that you already know about. • Go to famous bridges to see how many you identified. • View DiscoverySchool Bridge video • Research the different types of bridges and the forces acting on them. (bridges) • Create a database of information. Click here. Your columns should include the term, the definition, the force acting on it (if it’s a bridge type) and a picture, where appropriate. • Your final project will be for your group to choose one of the engineering challenges and design a truss bridge for your given scenario. Follow directions on the next page. You will be graded on many factors, including whether the bridge withstands the required load, how well the bridge fits the given scenario, the quality of the presentation (including detailed sketches), use of the engineering design process; and teamwork and presentation skills. • If you need refreshing, review the Engineering Design Process in the Massachusetts Frameworks

4. 1.Begin your project with Project Planning. Work in groups as you draw or sketch your bridge with at least 3 views with dimensions labeled, sketch a diagram of the forces acting on your bridges, and describe the site including environment, weather, and aesthetics. • (Note: As you progress through this activity, always remember that a good engineering team is continually developing new possible solutions.) • 2.Complete Purchase Order and Price List as you progress. • 3. Prepare your presentation. You should do this in PowerPoint. Include: • Your company name • A description of how you followed the design process • A description of the site plan and considerations • A photograph of your final product. Process

5. Resources http://www.newton.mec.edu/Bigelow/engineering_ technology/bridges/bridges_webquest.htm http://www.cheney268.com/MSMath/Gillett/Bridges/SBMain.htm http://www.richmangalleries.com/bridges.htm http://webtech.kennesaw.edu/jcheek3/bridges.htm http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/bridge/index.html http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bridge/build.html http://www.howstuffworks.com/bridge.htm http://school.discovery.com/lesson plans/programs/famousbridges/index.htm

6. Evaluation You will be graded on many factors. Use this rubric to guide you in your final product.

7. Conclusion Reflect, as an individual, upon the process of this project. Write about how your final product differed from your original ideas. Tell about what problems you faced, and how you resolved the issues. Post your reflection in the Moodle forum.

8. Massachusetts Standards Addressed Technology/Engineering Engineering Design 2.1 Identify and explain the steps of the engineering design process, i.e., identify the need or problem, research the problem, develop possible solutions, select the best possible solution(s), construct a prototype, test and evaluate, communicate the solution(s), and redesign. 2.2 Demonstrate methods of representing solutions to a design problem, e.g., sketches, orthographic projections, multiview drawings. 2.3 Describe and explain the purpose of a given prototype. 2.5 Explain how such design features as size, shape, weight, function, and cost limitations would affect the construction of a given prototype. Mathematics 8.M.4 Use ratio and proportion (including scale factors) in the solution of problems. Instructional Technology 1.20 Create an original database, defining field formats and individual records. 1.32 Create a slide presentation, using appropriate applications 3.9/3.15 Communicate/present results of research and learning with others using the most appropriate tools (Moodle, etc.)