Learning Goals
Students will be able to define precise criteria and constraints for a model bridge that safely carries supplies across a simulated flood channel, including span, size, materials, time, cost, and safety.
Students will be able to generate and sketch multiple bridge concepts for a flood relief route using the same materials and space limits.
Students will be able to evaluate competing bridge designs with a decision matrix using test data for cargo load, span success, and cost efficiency.
Students will be able to prototype and test a model bridge across a simulated flood channel to determine how much cargo it safely carries.
Students will be able to analyze how design changes affect bridge performance by comparing results from repeated trials.
Students will be able to justify team design decisions and communicate evidence from bridge testing using sketches, scorecards, and a final presentation.
Products
Bridge Design Notebook with Concept Sketches and Decision Matrix
Each student submits a design notebook showing at least three bridge concepts, labeled sketches, a criteria-and-constraints plan, and a decision matrix supported by evidence. The notebook demonstrates individual engineering thinking and explains why one concept was selected for team development.
Revised Flood Relief Bridge Prototype and Expo Presentation
The team builds, tests, revises, and presents a functional bridge model that carries the greatest safe cargo load while meeting span, size, material, time, and cost limits. Their presentation includes scorecard data, trade-offs, limitations, and how testing led to at least one revision.
No rubric has been generated yet.