Toothpick BridgesEngineering - Technological Design

Review

What are the steps to a technological design?

Hint: Chapter 4 lesson 2

Schedule OverviewDay 1: Identify a Need & Research the Problem

Day 2: Design a Solution

Day 3: Finish Design and Start Building a Prototype

Day 4: Continue Build

Day 5: Continue Build

Day 6: Troubleshoot and Redesign

Day 7: Communicate the Solution

Day 8: Finish Communicating the Solution

Before we get started, every student needs to get out a piece of paper. Each day you will answer any questions asked on this paper. Even when working in groups, you must record your own answers. This paper will be due at the end of the project. Without it, you will receive a zero.

Day 1: Identify a Need & Research the Problem

Watch PBS Video on Need (10 Min) http://video.pbs.org/video/2326687067/

On your paper: take briefs notes on what you learned about the need for bridges, and the problems associated with them.

On your paper: take notes on types of bridges. Use the research links found on lowryscience.weebly.com (hint: there are six types)

Day 2: Design a Solution

Watch video on bridge design (2 min) http://science.howstuffworks.com/understanding-bridges-videos-playlist.htm

Get in groups to discuss what type of bridge you will be making. If an agreement can't be reached quickly, you must go with the majority vote.

On your paper: Sketch your groups design plan. Each portion of the bridge will be glued flat on wax paper and then, once dry, assembled into a 3D bridge. So, in addition to your overall design sketch, draw out a plan of each piece, and decide who will build it. The bridge can only be made of toothpicks and white glue.

Day 3: Finish Design Start Building a Prototype

Today you must at least start gluing your portion of the bridge to your wax paper. Don't forget to work with your partners. The bridge pieces must match up in size.

On your paper: Tell me exactly what you did today. What was difficult, easy, did you change your design already? Etc..

Day 4: Continue Build

Today you must FINISH gluing your portion of the bridge to your wax paper. Don't forget to work with your partners. The bridge pieces must match up in size.

On your paper: Tell me exactly what you did today. What was difficult, easy, did you change your design already? Etc..

Day 5: Continue Build

The group bridge will be assembled into its 3D form today.

On your paper: Tell me exactly what you did today. What was difficult, easy, did you change your design already? Etc..

Day 6: Troubleshoot & Redesign

On your paper: Record whether your bridge passed the weight test! Discuss design flaws and sketch out what changes you would make in the future.

Day 7: Communicate the Solution

Today you will complete the "Design Summary Form" as a group, and post it on the wall. After 15 minutes, everyone will get a chance to review everyone else's design.

After reviewing every groups design, answer the following on your paper: what design ideas were better than yours? What design ideas were not as good? If you could redesign your bridge, what would it look like now? If not, tell me why you wouldn't redesign it.

Day 8: Finish Communicating the Solution

Finish from yesterday: After reviewing every groups design, answer the following on your paper: what design ideas were better than yours? What design ideas were not as good? If you could redesign your bridge, what would it look like now? If not, tell me why you wouldn't redesign it.

When done, you may watch the engineering movie.