Did your bridge fall down? Sometimes even real, full-size bridges collapse.
Here is a video of a spectacular bridge failure in America. Miraculously nobody was hurt!
Bridge Building
Bridge Building Activity or Competition
Build a Bridge from string, sticky tape and drinking straws
A great activity at home, or a class competition:
The objective is to build a bridge across a gap between two tables,
using just string, sellotape and some (maybe 10) drinking/art straws.
When the bridge is finished, it is tested by hanging weights from the middle to see how strong it is. It has failed once any part of the bridge gets below the level of the table-tops. (To remember this rule, it helps to imagine that the bridge is spanning a crocodile infested river!)
Some bridges can only just support their own weight, while others have supported 6 kg.
You might like to take a picture of your finished bridge, maybe while testing it, then you can send it to us.
We will put the best entries onto our Facebook, Twitter pages etc. to show the world your fabulous design…
The Tacoma Narrows Bridge Collapse
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