Teacher Notes
Regular spaghetti strands work better than thin ones. Larger
marshmallows work better than small ones when constructing but both
marshmallows will harden overnight and secure the bridge together much
better after they’ve hardened. Allowing the bridges to dry in sunlight will
also help them harden better.
A class of 20 students will need about 3 lbs. of spaghetti noodles and one
10 oz. bag of big Marshmallows.
Getting extra supplies is suggested
Have Heavy objects around for well-constructed bridges. To date the
most weight a bridge could hold was 17 lbs.!
NGSS Standards
PS2.A: Forces and Motion – For any pair of interacting objects, the force
exerted by the first object on the second object is equal in strength to the
force that the second object exerts on the first, but in the opposite
direction. (Newton’s third law)
The spaghetti strands exerts an upward force back on the objects equal to
the force of the weight of the objects (as long as objects are gently placed
and not moving quickly when placed on the bridge)
If you have any questions or would like to contact me for whatever reason,
please email me at [email protected]. Also, check out my new blog
at midwestscience.blogspot.com.
Please leave a comment and rating to let me know how this activity
worked for your students!
Name: _____________________________
Build a Bridge STEM Challenge
2 Sides of Forces
When we think about forces, there are 2 important factors we must consider.
First, we must consider the magnitude or size of the force and second, we must
consider the direction of the Force.
In this experiment, the size of the force that is placed on your bridge depends on
how much weight we place on it. As we place more weight on your bridge, the force
being pushed on your bridge increases because the mass has increased. And since all
the weight that we place on your bridge will be stationary, the direction of the force
will only be downward due to gravity.
To make your bridge stronger, you will need to ensure your bridge is supported
consistently throughout the bridge and that its support comes from multiple
directions. Supporting your bridge from multiple directions and spreading out this
support throughout your bridge will help to disperse some of the force from the
weight on top of your bridge.
Supplies
Marshmallows
Dry spaghetti strands
Classroom objects like rules, staplers, scissors, books etc.
Directions
1. Use the space below to draw a rough draft blue print of how you will construct
your bridge.
Directions Continued
2. Once you have drawn a rough draft, begin assembling your bridge using dried
spaghetti noodles and marshmallows.
3. Your bridge must be between 9 -12 inches in length and it cannot have a height
higher than 9 inches.
4. Let your bridge set overnight to let the marshmallows harden.
5. Place your bridge between two sets of books (or desks) and slowly add weights
(rules, scissors, staplers etc.) until your bridge collapses.
6. How much weight could your bridge hold before it collapsed?
Weight in grams = ____________
7. Calculate how much Force that weight placed on your bridge?
1 gram of weight = 0.0098 Newton’s of Force
Questions
Depending on how you constructed your bridge, some of you may have noticed that
your bridge started to bend down before it collapsed. How could’ve you changed your
design to prevent this?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
What was the best part of your bridge that you think gave it the most support?
Why do you think this?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Compare how your bridge performed while being tested with another groups.
Explain why you think it held more or less.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
