In Year 5 we have been completing our first Design and Technology project of the year: Building Bridges!
Some of the key skills in our project are:
Design
• Designing a stable structure that is able to support weight
• Creating frame structure with focus on triangulation
Make
• Making a range of different shaped beam bridges
• Using triangles to create truss bridges
• Building a wooden bridge structure
• Independently measuring and marking wood accurately
• Using the correct techniques to saws safely
Evaluate
• Adapting and improving own bridge structure by identifying points of weakness and reinforcing them as necessary
• Suggesting points for improvements for own bridges and those designed by others
• To understand some different ways to reinforce structures
Technical
• To understand how triangles can be used to reinforce bridges
• To know that properties are words that describe the form and function of materials
• To understand the difference between arch, beam, truss and suspension bridges
• To understand how to carry and use a saw safely
In class, we learnt lots about the difference between beam bridges and arch bridges. We were looking at how different shapes in the bridge structures are used to increase their strength to withstand a certain amount of weight. We looked at a range of photos and were able to identify differences between the types of bridges.
We then set up our own bridges using card and books. We began with a basic beam bridge and then tried to put some weights on it. The bridge collapsed before our very eyes! We spoke about why the bridge collapsed and realised that it was not strong or rigid enough to withstand the weight alone. Together, we came up with a few suggestions as to how to improve it. We then investigated how we can make our bridges stronger by redesigning the shape of the beam. We used lamination by gluing two or more layers of card together and we then tried corrugation, which involved sandwiching a concertina fold between two layers. We tested each of these with a range of weights, waiting to see what their maximum limit would be.
In our next lesson, we learned about truss bridges which use multiple tessellated beams in a triangle formation. This helps to distribute the load across the length of the bridge. For this reason, the bridges are nice and strong! We spent time experimenting with these by making our own out of art straws. In small groups, we carefully followed the instructions to create our own truss bridges. We were then able to test them, using a piece of card as a central beam.
Today, we stepped things up a gear! It was time to build truss bridges with wood. For this, we had to carefully measure piece of wood and saw them accurately. We had to take turns and be very patient! This took a little while to get the hang of but we had some great experts in our class that spent time helping everyone. We had to cut some longer pieces with a 45 degree angle. We then used brand-new hot glue guns to piece these together. We made square shapes with a triangle within it to make it more solid (and to eventually distribute weight). It took us a long time and lots of team work to come together to make our own class bridge.
Next week we will spend time reflecting on what we have achieve and evaluate our success. We will describe the best parts of the bridge and rate the quality of our finish including the joints and overall build.
Well done, Year 5, for all of your resilience and hard-work so far with this DT topic, you’ve been brilliant!
What did you find most tricky and how did you overcome any challenges?
