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Welcome to Design LAB! Over the next 16 weeks (or so), you will be participating in the Design LAB program. It will be fun, but it also may challenge you in ways you aren’t used to – like seeing how creative you can be when trying to solve problems that people all over the world are facing. Your challenge is going to be to build a bridge. Not just any bridge though, one thatmakes the world better in some way – big or small. So how is this going to work?
What is this, a Bridge for Ants?! This photo shows the end product of the program: the model. This is what you are working towards. When the program is over, we hope you will have a model that you can be really proud of! For that to happen, you need to follow along with the steps of the program. Trust the process and learn from every step of it.
THE DESIGN PROCESS • This is the process you will follow during this program • There are variations of this process, but they all accomplish the same thing: they break down your design problem into manageable chunks, taking the problem one step at a time to a solution
I have a challenge Understand the challenge. This will mean deciding on a client, identifying their needs, and knowing how to meet them. Research and gather inspiration. Knowing how to meet your client’s needs will probably depend on understanding how similar needs were met in the past. Research every aspect of your challenge to ensure that your solution is sound.
I Learned Something. Search for Meaning This can be an exciting step! Ask questions that were brought up by your research. Maybe you are wondering why bridges aren’t built in a certain area or not utilized by a certain population. What will this mean to your final solution? How can you overcome? Identify Opportunities Once you have thoroughly researched, you will probably have great, new, innovative ideas for how to address your problem and serve your client.
I See an Opportunity Brainstorm Ideas Let yourself think without constraints. Push yourself by writing down or sketching every idea you have, even if you think they are bad ones. Those can turn in to some of the best ones. Describe Ideas/Get Feedback Now you have an idea of why you are doing this and how you will go about it. Create a presentation for your classmates to tell them – this should be both visual and verbal. Get their feedback, maybe one of them will think of something you hadn’t.
I Have an Idea Start Tinkering Have fun with this part. Start to play with materials and figure out how to make different aspects of your model. Look at objects/resources around you in different ways to help create your model. Bring Your Ideas to Life Continue to explore materials as you begin to build your model and watch all of your ideas come to life.
I Tried Something Develop Your Idea As you build your model, you may develop your original plan and it may change some. That is exactly what happens to professionals, too! Share Your Vision Use your completed model to share your vision! Educate others on the problem you wanted to solve and how you went about solving it.
The Exhibit For the top project in each class, your project will be on display during a week-long exhibit at the Cincinnati Public Library’s Main Branch! All other projects will be on display digitally and will compete for social media’s award. The Design LAB Exhibit is on display from April 29-May 6. We will have a closing reception to celebrate all of the hard work of each student who has work represented there and award projects out of this group that are distinct in certain categories.
Success Stories • The tall kid in the first photo was one of the early participants of Design LAB standing next to her model of a transportation station. Fast forward 15 years and there she is on the right, talking to a crowd of 300+ about how Design LAB and her volunteer influenced her future. She is one of two former participants that not only volunteer with Design LAB in a classroom, but also hold seats on our Advisory Board or Action Committee. • This program is meant to give you an idea of what you can do as an adult, the kinds of problems you could solve for the world. • This photo could be you in fifteen years!
How Did We Decide on Bridge? We thought you might want to learn about something that is relevant to YOU. Between the construction that impacts everyone in this area to the great history surrounding some of the bridges we drive, this topic affects you. Aside from that, there are many ways in which bridges can improve life, and not just for us people, but for animals as well!
Did You Know THIS About the Roebling Bridge? It was the First Suspension Bridge in the US! When the Roebling Bridge was built in 1867, it was the longest bridge and the first suspension bridge in the country. It is also a national landmark, marking it significant to the development of the country. This bridge was almost not approved to be built out of fear that it would aid escaped slaves in reaching freedom. Also, the Civil War caused materials to become very expensive and construction of the bridge was halted between 1858 and 1864. Fun Fact: It costs about 7 million dollars to paint the bridge.
There are Plenty of Other Bridges in This Area to Learn About: Clay Wade Bailey Big Mac Purple People Brent Spence
Speaking of theBrent Spence Bridge… The Brent Spence Bridge was named the number one, worst infrastructure emergency in the entire country. To correct this, it will cost 2.4 billion dollars. Fun Fact: President Obama visit Cincinnati in 2011 to use this bridge as a backdrop to pass the American Jobs Act.
Bridges Work by Using Compression & TensionWatch this video! • Compression • Objects get pressed/crushed down • Tension • PULLS on objects
There are five main types of bridges: 2| SUSPENSION 1| ARCH
There are five main types of bridges: 2| SUSPENSION 1| ARCH 3| CABLE STAYED
There are five main types of bridges: 2| SUSPENSION 1| ARCH 3| CABLE STAYED 4| TRUSS
1 | ARCH These are the most popular types of bridges Has abutments at each end shaped as a curved arch The load of the bridge is carried outward along the curve of the arch to the supports at each end
2 | SUSPENSION This bridge is much lighter in weight and can span large distances(that’s why when the first suspension bridge, the Roebling Bridge, was built in Cincinnati, it was the longest bridge in the country!) These bridges are supported by cables
3 | CABLE STAYED The bridge itself is supported by cables or rods suspended from a column They typically depend on the column being in or near the center of the span with cables extending in both directions to balance the load
4 | TRUSS Frequently used for longer spans A truss is like a beam with the parts not needed cut away Most of the bridges that span the Ohio River in Cincinnati are truss bridges
5 | BEAM Mostly for shorter spans, their weight makes them too heavy for long spans Most ancient bridges were beam bridges and made of wood
Are there any other types? • OF COURSE!
Are there any other types? PIVOT BRIDGE LIFT BRIDGE VIADUCT AQUEDUCT
Some Bridges Can Also Help Animals! • When we build roads and cities, we do something called HABITAT FRAGMENTATION • This means that a natural habitat is fragmented, or broken apart. • One of the problems with this is that we destroy WILDLIFE CORRIDORS, areas that animals use as their roads to get from one place to another. HOW CAN WE FIX THIS? • Believe it or not, there are bridges that we can build to help these animals, by “bridging” their corridor! This bridge helps animals like Elk and Moose cross busy roads without getting hit by cars
Some Bridges Can Also Help Animals! • This is another example of how innovation can help animals – in any landscape! • This is a normal bridge that transports vehicles on top – but the bottom? • The bottom was built as a habitat for a species of bats that were disappearing from this area – they love living above those slats under the bridge. • What innovative bridge concept will you come up with?
Now Journal! • If there is time left, jot down anything you are thinking/feeling about the project ahead. Are you excited, nervous, terrified, can’t wait? • Write down any initial ideas you have for the project. You could have a bridge in mind, but still need to decide who the client would be. Or, you could know what problem you want to solve with your bridge, but are unsure of how to go about it. Just write about it!
