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Session 03: Bridge Building 🌉

Overview

Grades: 1-2 | Duration: 30 minutes | Session: 3 of 17

Students design and build bridges, learning about structural engineering while exploring how bridges connect communities.

Session 03: Bridge Building

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, students will:

  • Understand the purpose of bridges (connecting, crossing)

  • Identify basic bridge types (beam, arch)

  • Design and build a bridge that spans a gap

  • Test their bridge design with weight

Session 03: Bridge Building

Materials Needed

  • 📦 KEVA Planks

  • 📦 Craft sticks and tape

  • 📦 Paper (for folding experiments)

  • đź“Ź Two books or blocks (to create gap)

  • 🪙 Pennies or small weights for testing

  • đź““ Engineering journals

  • 📸 Pictures of different bridges

Catholic Integration

Saint Connection

St. John Nepomucene — Patron saint of bridges! He stood for truth and is often shown on bridges throughout Europe.

Scripture

"Let us build bridges, not walls." — Pope Francis (quoting Jesus's call to reconciliation)

Opening Prayer

Dear God, you want us to connect with others and build bridges of friendship. Help us design strong bridges today and be bridges of kindness to everyone we meet. Amen.

Lesson Procedure

Opening Circle (5 minutes)

  1. Why Bridges? — "What do bridges do?"
  2. Help us cross water, valleys, roads
  3. Connect communities
  4. Help people get to school, work, church
  5. Bridge Types — Show pictures:
  6. Beam bridge (flat across)
  7. Arch bridge (curved support)
  8. Suspension bridge (hanging cables)
  9. Today's Challenge — "Build a bridge that crosses this gap!"

Main Activity: Bridge Engineering (19 minutes)

Part 1: Paper Experiment (4 minutes)

  • Can a flat piece of paper hold a penny? (No, it flops)

  • Fold paper into an accordion—now try (Yes!)

  • "Shapes give paper strength!"

Part 2: Design & Plan (3 minutes)

  • Set up gap (two books, ~8 inches apart)

  • Partners discuss: "How will we build across?"

  • Quick sketch in journal

Part 3: Build & Test (10 minutes)

  • Materials: KEVA Planks or craft sticks and tape

  • Build bridge across the gap

  • Must span the entire gap without support in middle

  • Test with pennies: How many can it hold?

  • When it breaks: "What can we change?"

  • Rebuild and improve!

Part 4: Celebrate (2 minutes)

  • Share strongest bridges

  • Discuss: "What made these bridges strong?"

Engineering Journal (4 minutes)

  1. Draw your bridge design
  2. Record: How many pennies did it hold?
  3. Draw an improvement you would make

Closing Circle (2 minutes)

  1. Engineering Discovery — "What makes bridges strong?"
  2. Faith Connection — "How can WE be bridges to others?"
  3. Closing Prayer — "Thank you, God, for bridges that connect us. Help us build bridges of love and friendship. Amen."

Assessment

Observation Checklist:

  • Participated in design process

  • Built a bridge that spanned the gap

  • Tested and tried to improve

  • Recorded observations in journal

Differentiation

For Students Who Need Support

  • Narrower gap to span

  • Pre-built base to work from

  • Teacher nearby for guidance

For Advanced Students

  • Wider gap to span

  • Weight challenge (most pennies wins)

  • Design two different bridge types

Wonder at Home 🏠

Family Activity: Look for bridges in your community—over roads, rivers, or walking paths. What type are they? Build bridges at home using craft sticks, blocks, or even spaghetti and marshmallows!

Teacher Notes

  • Save successful bridge designs for display

  • KEVA Planks work great for beam bridges

  • Craft sticks + tape allow more creativity

  • Consider video of famous bridges

Previous: Session 02 — God's Patterns
Next: Session 04 — Robot Friends