7th Grade Science Building Bridges

Seventh graders recently designed, engineered, and built miniature suspension bridges as part of their science studies related to force, tension and compression.

In addition to the civil engineering aspect the project, students also studied whether a suspension bridge carries a greater load than a simple beam bridge. There was also discussions on suspension bridges in real world settings and how engineers would have to consider the environment and whether high winds, strong sea currents, salt air, and the potential for earthquakes in the area might affect the performance of the bridge.