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The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Let’s Design & Engineer a Bridge

STEM Challenge

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Let’s Design & Engineer a Bridge

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STEM Challenge

A Kindergarten grade STEM lesson

Luz-Maria Van Daam

November 24, 2023

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Notes for teachers

  • This lesson takes place in a 45 minute classroom session
  • The lesson may be extended over several days to provide time for problem solving
  • Students work independently to create their own design
  • Teacher will facilitate lesson by assisting students as needed

List of Materials

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    • Iggy Peck Architect by Andrea Beaty
    • Pipe Cleaners
    • Styrofoam cups
    • Tongue depressors
    • Magna Tiles
    • Cardboard boxes
    • Paper towel tubes
    • Yarn

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Standards

K-2-ETS1-1. Ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool.

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K-2-ETS1-2. Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem.

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Science and Engineering Practices 

  • ask questions and define problems
  • develop and use models
  • plan and carry out investigations
  • analyze and interpret data
  • use mathematical and computational thinking
  • construct explanations and design solutions
  • engage in argument from evidence
  • obtain, evaluate and communicate information

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Standards

AZ ELA Standards – KINDERGARTEN

  • Reading Standards for Literature Key Ideas and Details

K.W.1.With guidance and support from adults, use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose opinion pieces in which they tell a reader the topic or the name of the book they are writing about and state an opinion or preference about the topic or book (e.g., My favorite book is . . .)..

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AZ Math Standards – KINDERGARTEN

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K.CC.B. Count to tell the number of objects.

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K.CC.B.5. Count to answer questions about “How many?” when 20 or fewer objects are arranged in a line, a rectangular array, or a circle, or as many as 10 things in a scattered configuration; given a number from 1 to 20, count out that many objects.

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Objectives:

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ELA: Comprehension Question-Students will listen to the story Iggy Peck Architect by Andrea Beaty and be able to describe what an engineer and architect does?

Pre-writing-brainstorming concept map: Students will use the engineering design process to plan out and design their bridge.

Math Challenge: Students will design their own bridge and be able to tell how much weight it holds.

Extra Challenge: Students may only use 40 Keva planks, 1 cardboard box, 5 pipe cleaners, 5 paper tubes, 1 foot yarn (pre-cut).

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Agenda (lesson 45 minutes)

What is an Engineer?

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What is an Architect?

What is the engineering process?

What kind of bridge will you engineer?

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Intro/Driving Question/Opening

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What is an Architect?

  • How many different kinds of bridges are there?
  • Could you design a strong bridge?

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Hands-on Activity Instructions

  • Students will be introduced to the materials for engineering a bridge.
  • Give students the paper to draft their design ideas.
  • Students will be introduced to the materials they may use for their bridge.
  • Students will take turns demonstrating the strength of their design and how much their bridge will hold.

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  • Teacher will introduce the task by reading

Iggy Peck Architect by Andrea Beaty

  • Teacher will ask students:
  • What type of bridge will you design?
  • For this task students will design and engineer their desired bridge
  • Teacher will share materials and explain safety rules.
  • Students will be given the design Bridge challenge.

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Assessment

  • Test your bridge:
  • How strong is your bridge?
  • How do you know the strength of your bridge?
  • Did you complete the bridge challenge?

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ELA Assessment

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  • Student will be able to tell the purpose of the authors choice Architectural design process

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Science Engineering

Assessment

  • Student will be able to complete their design for a bridge using Only the given amount of materials provided.
  • Student will be able to engineer and design a strong bridge.

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Assessment

  • Teacher will be able to assess students design process using The Cardboard Challenge Design Process worksheet.
  • Teacher will be able to assess students engineering designs and problem solving changes to their design?
  • Teacher will be able to assess students use of materials to complete the Strong bridge challenge using only the given quantities.

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Differentiation

  • Provide pre-cut templates for cardboard
  • Provide extra time or days to complete lesson
  • Provide students extra time/days try to improve their design
  • Provide opportunities for students to work in teams

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Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Challenge:

  • After all groups have gotten a chance to show off their designs have the class vote for their favorite design.
  • Students design a longer and stronger bridge using different quantities of materials.

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