Summer SAVY, Session 5 Day 4, Engineering Design (Allison) (1st-2nd)
Posted by delislss on Thursday, July 18, 2024 in blog, SAVY.
We had a busy day today! This morning I read the book Twenty-One Elephants and Still Standing by April Jones Prince, illustrated by Fançois Roca. This is the true story of how twenty-one elephants crossed the Brooklyn Bridge after the bridge was completed. We watched a documentary clip with drawings from this 140-year-old bridge’s plans. We also read How Emily Saved the Bridge by Frieda Wishinsky and Natalie Nelson today, which is a true story of a woman who helped engineer the bridge.
Today, we learned the importance of math in engineering. We looked at pictures of bridges in books and online and searched for shapes in the structures. Students identified common 2D and 3D shapes observed in bridges. They worked with a group to make a Magnatile bridge using only triangles and squares.
This afternoon, students learned the constraints and criteria for their final project. They will construct a bridge with a 15-inch span tomorrow with their engineering team. Today we brainstormed ways to be a good teammate and talked about how teams function as a system. Students worked with their team to design the bridge. Their sketches and material lists were approved. Tomorrow morning construction begins!
The final project allows students to intentionally follow each step of the engineering design process. Today, I asked the question: How can you build a bridge with a 15-inch span that supports the weight of a toy car? The materials list, constraints, and criteria were explained. Then, students brainstormed bridge ideas and made brainstorming posters. We did a gallery walk to see everyone’s ideas. Students met with the team to design the bridge. Tomorrow they will create and improve!
Our first activity tomorrow is speaking with a guest engineer. Students will learn about his job and education. Then, they will have the opportunity to ask one question. We brainstormed questions during our closing meeting today. It will be helpful if you talk with your child about the question they plan to ask on your way to SAVY tomorrow to prepare them for the Q&A.