2 minute read
Bridging the Gap
bridging
Mr Russell Ayres
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ICT and Robotics Teacher Term Two brought a new energy to Prep Robotics with an engineering problem to be solved by the STEAM Teams of Year 2.
Integrating the Arts and Engineering, the boys used their teamwork and technical skills to build a structurally sound bridge for the characters of the Billy Goats Gruff fairytale.
Needing very little encouragement, the boys jumped straight into a term long program focused on bridge design while getting hands on with the class LEGO sets.
They learned the differences and similarities between beam bridges, arch bridges, suspension bridges and truss bridges.
Along the way, the Year 2 boys built life skills, as well as models of the various bridge types and tested them for strengths and weaknesses. The authentic task called for students to take note of build times, amount of materials used and more.
After watching a comical version of The Three Billy Goats Gruff, they were issued with a challenge. The bridge that had kept the goats safe for so long had been destroyed!
the gap
The boys were assigned as engineers to design a new bridge, one that would keep the goats safe for years to come.
Weighing up the goats’ environment, the requirements of the project, and the features of the various bridges, the boys of Year 2 selected the bridge type they thought would suit the needs of the goats best.
Some boys decided to build a suspension bridge because it may be too unsafe for the troll’s weight.
Some chose a truss bridge for its strength and frame. Others opted for a beam bridge for the speed of the build. A popular choice was an arch bridge for its strength and ability to put a large distance between the troll in the valley and the goats on the deck of the bridge.
A few boys possibly just liked the look of certain bridge designs and argued for their favourite, which was okay too. As long as they thought about their reasons and could justify their decisions.
The unit was a great success and the boys loved mixing theory with the opportunity to build.
Who knows? Perhaps a few little engineers were inspired along the way.
