Bridge Testing Time!

Today we started one of my favorite parts of my sixth grade industrial arts class- testing out the bridges. In the beginning industrial arts class, I teach the students measurement, technical drawing, shapes, structures. They go through the design process to come up with a bridge design which they draw out using drafting tools and ultimately construct out of balsa wood sticks.


No matter if the students worked hard or not, there is always some sense of excitement in the air when we start to test out their bridges. All of the students hold their breaths after each weight is placed in the bucket. 1..... 2..... 3..... 4.... 5..... Quick, put in another weight! They all want to see how much can be placed in before the bridge collapses from the strain. Often other students in the class are more dismayed when a bridge fails than those who completed the bridge themselves.

I think what brings the class together is a celebration of a week and a half of hard work. Day in and day out they have labored to cut small pieces of balsa wood, patiently glue them together, and hope everything holds. Some coat their bridges with glue, others sparingly place dabs of glue here and there.

I also admire how the students can recognize those who have truly labored hard to construct their bridge well. When the bridge finally collapses instead of getting jealous or envious of how much the bridge held, the students congratulate that student or group of students for their hard work. Likewise, if a group worked hard on their bridge and for some reason it didn't do well, the class is emphatic with those students. Usually the class can pick up on who the slackers are and are duly surprised if the slacker bridge did well. Praise and admonition often are much more powerful when coming from peers instead of the teacher.

Anyone have similar experiences? Any favorite projects that you can tell the students enjoy seeing presented and seeing the fruits of their labors?