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Gary Reimann

Paper Bridge Challenge

Grades: 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade
Subjects: STEAM, Home Learning, Science

Student Instructions

Can you make a strong bridge? Using only two sheets of paper, build a strong bridge that will reach across a 15cm gap. The bridge must be at least 7cm wide. Using the attached bridge challenge sheet for some samples or use your own ideas, design 3 different bridges - one at a time. You can use glue tape and any other items to stick the paper together but you CAN NOT add anything under the span of the bridge. 1. Think about bridges that you have seen. Can you make something that has the same shape out of paper? 2. Experiment! Make a paper bridge across the gap between two books. 3. Put a 1 baht coin on your bridge, one at a time. Observe what happens when the coin/s push downward. 4. Take a picture of each bridge with some coins on them and upload them to the template provided. 5. Keep adding 1 coin at a time until the bridge collapses. 6. Record observations onto the template. 7. Reflect - think about how you could change your bridge so it's better at fighting the downward push. 8. Change your bridge and try again. 9. Build at least 3 different bridge designs. Keep track of your designs and data on the template page. Happy building and let's see who can create the strongest bridge.

Teacher Notes (not visible to students)

Adapted from Kelsey Moore Willagillespie Elementary School, Eugene OR US

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