This lesson involves the children working in small groups
(approx 4), in a real-life context as a bridge design company. The
aim is to design and build a model bridge to span the Clyde,
able to hold the weight of a small toy vehicle.
The children will have to work within a set budget,
purchasing materials that they will use to build their structure.
The children will be given a choice of basic classroom materials to
purchase and each group will also be given a free 'tool
kit'.
This resource is based on work developed by staff from the Glasgow
office of Halcrow, an
international engineering consultancy, working with St Stephen's
Primary School in Glasgow.
Broad Outcomes of learning
• Knowledge and understanding of real life applications of
structures
• Enterprising skills and attitudes developed through making oral
presentations of bridge structures to whole class (ACfE
capabilities)
• Enterprising skills developed: decision making; working as part
of a team
• Employability skills enhanced - application of knowledge in
real-life context
• Employability skills enhanced - knowledge of business; running
their own company - for example, working to a timescale, budget,
design brief; understanding areas of business such as finance,
design, buying
Relevance to curriculum
• Relevance of how maths and science (shape and materials) directly
relate to the stability and strength of simple structures and is
applied in a real life context