Science is one of the greatest subjects. It’s so fulfilling because of all the assignments and projects that go with most of the lessons. It’s the one subject where you need to test out the theories and not just read them in a book to understand. Let us help you teach the next lesson. Check out these model bridge science experiment ideas for middle school.
Suspension Bridge
Teach your students about suspension bridges. In a suspension bridge, the deck hangs below the suspension cables on vertical suspenders. These bridges are some of the most beautiful designs engineers have created.
Their tall towers, curving cables, and great lengths make for an incredible sight. Challenge your students to make something equally beautiful and complex. They’ll need to understand the dimensions of the bridge and the different functions of every piece. They’ll learn they need to anchor the suspension cables to each end of the bridge and why.
Truss Bridge
See how well your students work with truss bridges. Along with science, they’ll need to incorporate a healthy dose of geometry because of the shapes created while constructing these bridges. Assign a project that has your students exploring which geometrical shape makes the strongest bridge truss structure.
A truss bridge project is a good introduction for students. They’re one of the most common designs but leave room for creativity. A truss is a superstructure composed of connecting elements usually forming a triangular unit. The connected elements could deal with tension and compression from heavy loads.
Everyday Bridge
Task your students with designing and constructing everyday bridges. Raised highways and complicated roads are a good start. These designs will seem simple, and students won’t see intricate designs in these models and may underestimate the level of work it takes to make one.
Challenge them to design a bridge that will hold the weight of the items traveling across. These bridges might not require many pieces, but they still need to be sturdy enough to hold up. Students might have to go back to the drawing board to find supplies to help them.
Famous Bridges
Throw a history lesson in with the science experiments. Go over some of the most famous bridges in history and choose one great one for every student to work on. Divide them into groups and have each group try out a design.
They’ll deal with some trial and error, but that’s good. Experiments often need to fail first to be successful—it’s part of the scientific method. At AC Supply, we have more than model rocket kits for schools. We’ve got kits for building bridges too.
You’ve looked over the science experiment ideas for model bridges. Now you just need the supplies. For more information, visit our website.