Unit 2: Bridges: The Intersections of Geometry and Force
Duration of Days: 25
The 7 major bridge types (Arch, Beam, Bascule, Cantilever, Cable-stayed, Suspension, and Truss); the physics of tension, compression, and stress; and the historical evolution of bridge materials.
Calculate load distributions, use K'Nex & Balsa Wood to construct scale models, apply geometric principles (symmetry/triangulation), and maintain an engineering journal.
The Load-to-Failure Challenge: Teams will design a "Custom Truss" bridge. They must predict its breaking point based on their journal data and then test it against actual weights until failure.
| Lesson # | Lesson Title | Duration of Days |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Great Span: Engineering the 7 Bridge Types | 5 |
| 2 | Grain and Strain: Understanding Balsa Properties | 5 |
| 3 | From Paper to Wood: Blueprinting the Truss | 5 |
| 4 | The Breaking Point: Calculating Structural Efficiency | 10 |