Students become civil engineers challenged to design, build and test bridges using the engineering design cycle. They'll learn about span, load, shapes, materials and more.

Engineering Design: Bridges

For Grades 4-8

  • Location: Griffin MSI
  • Capacity: 30 students
  • Duration: 45 minutes
  • Cost: $240
  • Offered Tuesday and Thursday at 10:15 and 11:45 a.m.

Lab goals

During every session we aim to have students reach understanding and have fun along the way!

Student outcomes

  • Recognize the application of scientific principles in everyday situations.
  • Use bridges as a tool to apply and understand scientific principles in a familiar real-world situation.
  • Become familiar with the basic tenets of structural design.
  • Become knowledgeable of the forces at play in construction projects through interactive demonstrations and hands-on activities.
  • Learn how different design elements play into the structural integrity of a bridge.
  • Be exposed to potential careers in engineering and construction.
  • Engage in hands-on lab activities.
  • Acquire and practice lab skills.
  • Design, build and test models bridges.
  • Be given a challenge and work as a team to complete the task of building a successful bridge.

Next Generation Science Standards

All of our Learning Labs are designed to integrate curriculum standards and connections into your classroom!

Science and Engineering Practices:

  • Asking questions and defining problems
  • Planning and carrying out investigations
  • Analyzing and interpreting data
  • Constructing explanations
  • Engaging in argument from evidence
  • Obtaining, evaluating and communicating information

Crosscutting Concepts

  • Cause and effect
  • Systems and system models
  • Structure and function

Disciplinary Core Ideas

  • ETS 1: Engineering design
  • ETS1.A: Defining and Delimiting Engineering Problems
  • ETS1.B: Developing Possible Solutions
  • ETS1.C: Optimizing the Design Solution
  • ETS 2: Links among engineering, technology, science and society

Reserve Your Spot Today!

Inspire your inventive genius