Gateway to Technology

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Gateway to Technology

• Bridge Building

Tooth Pick'in Bridge
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Overview

• Design and build a bridge using toothpicks to
  hold as much mass as possible over a span of at
  least 8 inches. Each student will research bridge
  designs from literature, architectural software
  design and testing, the Internet, or actual
  structures noting bracing points and
  reinforcements. Gravitational and load forces
  will also need to be taken into account as well
  as tension and compression forces. Each student
  will then design and build a bridge using wooden
  toothpicks and Elmers white glue.

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Standards

• Principles and Standards for School Mathematics
  (PSSM)
• PSSM Measurement Standard Instructional programs
  from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 should
  enable all students to
• Understand measurable attributes of objects and
  the units, systems, and processes of measurement
  
• Apply appropriate techniques, tools, and formulas
  to determine measurements.

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Standards

• National Science Education Standards (NSES)
  Content Standard B Physical Science
• As a result of activities all students should
  develop an understanding of
• Properties and change of properties
• Motions and forces
• Transfer of energy

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Standards

• Standards for Technological Literacy
• STL Standard 8 Students will develop an
  understanding of the attributes of design.
• STL Standard 9 Students will develop an
  understanding of engineering design.
• STL Standard 10 Students will develop an
  understanding of the role of troubleshooting,
  research and development, invention and
  innovation, and experimentation in problem
  solving.
• STL Standard 11 Students will develop the
  abilities to apply the design process.

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Directions

• Students will use West Point bridge software
  program to design and test their bridge.
• They will make modifications to their bridge and
  re-test their design to maximize bridge strength
  and minimize the weight using the West Point
  bridge program.
• After printing out their bridge design the
  students will resize their bridge design to fit
  the construction parameters given.
• During the bridge building process the students
  will note necessary modifications to their design

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Product Sample
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Product Sample
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Product Sample