Subject
Objective
Description/What to do in the classroom
Things to consider/science behind it
Number of TryScience.org features used
Titles of TryScience.org features
Materials Used
Results of student feedback and teacher assessment of activity
Attachments

Subject
Physical Science

Objective
1. The students will research a beam, arch, or suspension bridge and write an essay.
2. The students will create a budget for projected costs for bridge construction.
3. The students will use their knowledge to create a bridge of their choice with given specifications.
4. The students will maintain and balance their company checking account.

Science Standards: (List as applicable)
Florida Sunshine State Standards
1. SC.A.1.2.1 uses metric tools to determin density and volume
2. SC.H.1.2.3 understands the importance of communication among scientists
3. SC.H.1.2.5 uses sketches and diagrams to propose scientific solutions constructs models to compare objects in science
4. SC.C.2.2.3 knows the relationship between the strength of a force and its effect on an object

Description/What to do in the classroom
1. Students will utilize the internet and library books to research a bridge type (beam, arch,or suspension.
2. Students will use the TryScience website to develop their understanding as outlined below.
3. Guest speaker from local bank will discuss budgets, check writing, and checkbook balancing skills.
4. Students will create a company that will include an Architect, Accountant, Transportation Chief, Carpenter, and Project Director.
5. Students will construct a bridge with given specifications (length, width, weight,span, and strength).
6. Each company will give a classroom presentation of their bridge to include a report on their design, budget report, and bridge strength test.
7. The company that met all specifications and was closest to proposed budget will win the competition.

Things to consider/science behind it
To successfully complete the objectives of this project, the students need to conduct research to develop an understanding of bridge types. The students also need to understand the concepts of compression and tension and how they relate to bridges.

Curriculum topics
This project engages students in an inquiry to develop understanding for concepts in the area of physical science.

Integration of TryScience.org features
This activity utilizes 2 features of the TryScience.org website to facilitate student inquiry.

Number of TryScience.org features used
0-5

Titles of TryScience.org features
1. Build and Test a Paper Bridge: Students build a paper bridge and test how much weight it can hold (reinforces compression and tension)
2. Spaghetti Bridge: Students discover shapes that might make their bridge stronger.

Materials Used
1. computer with internet access
2. library books about various bridges
3. TryScience.org website and basic supplies outlined in the experiment utilized.
4. cardboard, bottles of glue, boxes of spaghetti, tape, check registers, checkbooks, warehouse order sheets

Results of student feedback and teacher assessment of activity
The students really enjoyed this project. They thought it was very challenging to build the bridge to match the Architects plans. The budget was also a challenge because the students's had never really had to plan how much money they would spend on a project. They all wanted to stay under budget. They also really enjoyed the real checkbooks that were provided by our local bank. I think they took more ownership with the bookkeeping because it seemed real, rather than if they had used fake checks.

I feel the project was a success! It incorporated science, math, language arts, and social skills into one project. The TryScience activities were great "mini" projects to introduce some of the important background information for the project. The students learned a lot and were able to make connections that relate to "real" life.