21 Elephants

In this story, all of the folks are very scared to try something that might surprise you!

What do bridges do?

Can you design and make a bridge that will hold 21 somethings? Before starting, think about...

• What does a bridge do?
• What are the parts of a bridge?

1. Get with your partner and check out your bag of 21____.

2. Know your CONSTRAINTS: You may use any material in the lab but no legos!

3. Go on a Thinking Tour of materials (think about size and weight)

4. Design Time

5. Share your ideas with your partner

6. Make a bridge for 21 _____ !

7. Improve: Make changes to your design as needed.

8. Document: Get photo taken with prototype.

9. Do a second iteration using different materials.

Norms:

Everyone participates

Be kind, helpful and specific

Celebrate everyone’s hard work

Introduce yourselves

Share your prototype

Talk about the design process

(T.M.I. Think-Make-Improve)

Talk about the materials you used

Talk about teamwork

Thank you and any questions

Celebrations!

-I prepare brown lunch bags of 21 somethings for each partner group. I use plastic dinosaurs, rocks, blocks, dominoes, etc.

-For 2nd graders, the second iteration is a suspension bridge. Can you design a bridge that spans 12 inches and can hold 20 pennies?

-Rupa and the April Fishes is a great band to listen to while taking the materials tour and building! (circus music)