Re-Work
Building bridges workshops
Bridge buiding is one of the best STEM activities for primary students. Many materials can be adapted for models and bridges, there are an extensive range of challenges to complete and there is the excitement of loading up the bridges with weights until they collapse.
We've organised a comprehensive list of challenges into a series of workshops. You can complete which ever workshop you like, it is simply intended as a guide to increasingly levels of complexity.
All workshops include an introduction to bridge design. The base price of reusable materials is listed, there may be additional materials fee for non-reuseable materials.
Plastic Blocks Bridges
Workshop
ON-SITE WORKSHOP
In this workshop we use plastic blocks to create bridges. These are the blocks listed in our construction blocks sets, large quantities of Better blocks and Megabloks.
Paper Bridges Workshop
ON-SITE WORKSHOP
In this workshop the first hour is devoted to the first two simple structures with paper, with the majority of time spent on constructing the main bridge and some at the end for testing.
Craft Sticks and ___ Bridges
Workshop (Level 1)
ON-SITE WORKSHOP
Craft sticks are the backbone of these structuresm bound together with playdough, bulldog clips or masking tape. Playough is easy to use and clean up, but isn't as strong. Bulldog clips are easy and strong, but more limited in how they can be used. Masking tape makes great joints but can be time consuming to remove before the end of the session.
Craft Sticks and ___ Bridges
Workshop (Level 2)
ON-SITE WORKSHOP
Craft sticks are the backbone of these structures, bound together with playdough, bulldog clips, masking tape or rubber bands. Playough is easy to use and clean up, but isn't as strong. Bulldog clips are easy and strong, but more limited in how they can be used. Masking tape makes great joints but can be time consuming to remove before the end of the session. Rubber bands require more materials or shorter spans
The bridges get bigger and the spans wider.
Cardboard (pre-cut) Bridges Workshop
ON-SITE WORKSHOP
This kit is purchased as the materials can't be reused.
In this workshop your building materials are pre-cut cardboard, string and masking tape. There is a practice structure before the main bridge. Each group gets an identical set of materials to build their bridge. The pre-cut cardboard shapes significantly reduces the time taken to build the bridge.
Cardboard (self-cut) Bridges Workshop
ON-SITE WORKSHOP
This kit is purchased as the materials can't be reused.
In this workshop your building materials are some pieces of cardboard, string and masking tape. There is a practice structure before the main bridge. Each group gets an identical set of materials to build their bridge. The self-cut cardboard sheets require more creativity and negotiation before building can begin. This workshop can be done over two sessions.
Balsa Bridges Workshop
ON-SITE WORKSHOP
In this workshop your building materials are some pieces of balsa wood, string and masking tape. There is a practice structure before the main bridge. Each group gets an identical set of materials to build their bridge. Negotiating the bridge design can take a lot longer than expected. This workshop is recommended over two sessions.
Balsa Bridges Workshop
(Aurecon kit)
ON-SITE WORKSHOP
This kit is purchased as the materials can't be reused.
This workshop is based on the Aurecon bridge building competition open to Year 8 and 9 students. It is intended to be a practice run. We use similar wood parts and string, but switch the PVA glue for hot-glue for instant drying.
https://www.aurecongroup.com/careers/bridge-building-competition