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Toothpick Bridge ProjectGrade 6
Grade 6 participates in a design experiment each year where the students are asked to build bridges out of toothpicks. The objective of the project is for the students to build the lightest bridge that could withstand the most weight. We begin with a "seminar" on bridges. The students research basic bridge construction, including bracing and trusses. In the past, we have invited Mr. Dustin Noel and Mr. Jason Chesla from C. S. Davidson Engineering in York into our classroom to discuss types of bridges and share some trade secrets with us. The students learned a great deal from the engineers that would help them with their projects. We will ask them to join us once again, but these engineers are so busy in the Spring, we can't guarantee they will be able to come in and speak with us. Taking what they learn through the seminar, the students begin constructing their bridges using only square toothpicks and Elmer's glue. The most difficult part of constructing the bridges is in the beginning. We learn a lot about how to set the foundation of the bridges through trial and error. Once the basic foundations are set, we are on our way. In the 2006-2007 school year, a reporter and photographer from the Hanover Evening Sun came in to interview us about our project. You can read the resulting article HERE.
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