STEM Task: Bridge Build: Middle Grades Science Experiment
About This Product
Here is a fun, low-prep science experiment for your middle grades class! It's perfect for a Friday afternoon, day before a holiday, or as part of your regular science curriculum. Students will have a chance to experiment with simple, everyday materials to learn about a science concept in a hands-on manner. They will have to make a prediction before completing the experiment and draw a detailed and labelled diagram after they are done. They will also define relevant vocabulary words and answer a question about what they learned.
Bridge Build: Students are tasked with building the strongest bridge they can with only masking tape, index cards, straws, and paper clips. How many pennies can their bridge support? What style of design will work the best? This task will encourage teamwork, collaboration and design testing!
Student Instructions:
Use the materials to build a bridge that can hold the most pennies.
You can make a bridge between two desks/piled books or a free-standing suspension bridge.
How to Use:
Students can work in small groups. Go over the instructions and materials and give students time to predict before they start the experiment. Review the findings and relevant vocabulary after students have completed their experiment and diagram.
Grades to Use With: This activity is great for middle grades (4-7) classrooms or high school special education classes.
What's Included:
One-page PDF handout with with material list, instructions, prediction, vocabulary or reflection, and room for a labelled diagram.
If you enjoy this experiment, check out some others in my store:
Or, you can get all 8 in a bundle here: 8 Low-Prep STEM Tasks for Elementary and Middle School: Simple Handouts for Each Experiment