This great, open ended activity works across a lot of ages and only requires some A4 paper, scissors, glue sticks and rulers. Older children can carry out scientific tests to find the very strongest designs.
The video (2:26 min) can be used to explain the challenge to the children. It can work as a stand alone fun activity or as part of a bigger topic…. the Greeks used lots of beams and columns in their architecture!
Working alone or in pairs or small teams, the children cut and fold a single sheet of A4 to construct a beam bridge. A beam bridge comprises of a strong beam held in the air with vertical supports called piers. They must make a bridge that spans 20cm between the piers. They then test their design using toy cars or classroom weights. Older children could devise a fair test and keep records for each design as they refine them.
![A drawing on a beam bridge](https://teacherscorner.folens.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Slide3-1024x576.png)
Children should be encouraged to investigate folding the paper into 3D shapes called sections or channels. If you have seen the metal beams used to construct a new building you may have seen their cross sectional shapes. Is is these shapes that help give the beams strength. V, U, W and box and circular shaped sections can all be experimented with.
![Various examples of beam sections](https://teacherscorner.folens.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Slide4-1024x576.png)
They should consider the shapes they use for the piers as well as the beam, as the piers need to support the weight of everything.
![A child's bridge made using a U shaped section or channel.](https://teacherscorner.folens.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_2292-edited.jpg)
Combining sections with layers can create a very strong structure called a laminate. Plywood is an example of a strong laminate. Several ideas are combined in this bridge design.
![](https://teacherscorner.folens.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_1438-1024x768.jpg)
Failure is half the fun!
Children should be encouraged to test their bridges to destruction to understand the causes of failure!
![](https://teacherscorner.folens.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_3501-1024x765.jpg)
Parts of the bridge can be held together by creating slots or tabs which provides plenty of extension for older and more able students.
![](https://teacherscorner.folens.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/slotbridge-1024x338.png)
Do let us know here at Teachers’ Corner how you get on. You can use the comments below or email us at teacherscorner@folens.ie with pictures!
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