Mrs. Herook, Building Bridges Resource Page -

Building Bridges Resources

This Page is currently a work in progress

Fourth & Fifth Grade Focus - Enrichment Program
These resource links can be included in lesson plans, teacher web pages, etc. to assist students as they explore and learn building concepts. Additional resources will be added as they are reviewed.

Bridges

PBS:Building Big - All about Bridges
Nice variety of links to information on bridges. Check out Forces Lab which explains Compression and Tension. Then, see how geometry comes into design decisions by looking at this animation on different Shapes.
This animation clearly shows how force affects each shape.

ABCD's Bridge Design Tips for Kids

How Stuff Works - Bridges

Thinkquest:Build It and Bust It

The Bridgesite - Fun & Learning

Dialogue for Kids/Bridges

Build A Bridge Simulation
Build your truss bridge online using this simulation software.

West Point Bridge Design Contest
You have to be 13 or older to enter the contest, but can download the software from the site to practice making bridges. Nice tool to use for free.

Science Enrichment:Bridges
Sponsored by the SDSC, additional ideas for bridge building using K'Nex building kits.

Physics:Compression & Tension
SDSC offers this explanation of compression and tension using visuals.

Bridge Research Links *Multiple links on pages*

Structures:Iowa Dots Kids' page:Structures

Technology:Bridge resource links

Bridge Structures for Kids
AOL-links

Building and Design:Bridge Links

Balsa Bridge Competition

Yahooligans: Bridges

Teacher Resources

Bridge Structures
Understanding tension in bridges

Newton's Apple - Bridges
Lesson plan ideas along with topic information.

American Society of Civil Engineers/Lesson Plan
Ice breaker ideas

Discovery School:Stable & Unstable Structures
Lesson plan idea

PBS-Brooklyn Bridge
Citizenship lesson plan

Toothpick Bridges and other Structures
Just for Teachers: Provides background on topic and National Science Standards covered in this project.

Educators Guide:National Content Standards
National Science Education Standards are listed

Click here to return to Student Resources

Click here to return to Teacher Resources

Click here to return to Library & Reseach

This resource designed and maintained by:
Susan Herook, Instructional Technology Specialist
(Last Updated June 2011)