The second of our physics class was on the topic of bridges. It started with a discussion about the various types of bridges and the people involved in designing bridges.
The workshop leader then demonstrated the experiment that the children were to do, which was to test the material to be used for making their bridge; in this case straws. The test was carried out by measuring and recording the weight that a given number of straws can support over a span of 10 cm.
Results from the hands-on experiment were plotted on a graph. The graph was then used to plan how many straws would be needed to build a bridge with a greater span which could support a given weight. Their design was then built and tested.
This post is linked up to several blog hops, where you can see what other homeschoolers have been busy with.
That was a very thorough lesson on bridges! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting! We did a study on bridges in our co-op class early this spring. I could have used a couple of these ideas back then.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great lesson on bridges, I've always found things like that interesting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking to Science Sunday!