Spaghetti Bridge Building

INTRODUCTION

 

During this project you will incorporate many connections from “real life” mathematics.  Working in teams of 4, you will research bridge designs, building codes and rules, and then design your own bridge to span a two-foot “canyon”.  Using web sites, you will research the four project job descriptions, choose jobs, and set salaries.  Your team will design the bridge and the team will submit a bid for the bridge’s projected cost.  You will research and buy insurance and apply for a construction permit.  A computer spreadsheet is used to track costs while the accountant writes checks for materials and posts payroll.  Non-traditional tasks pop up during the project for your team to solve.  Finally, your bridge is stress-tested to determine the weight it can hold.   The spaghetti bridge project was inspired by the World Heavyweight Spaghetti Bridge Building Competition hosted by Okanagan College in Kelowna, British Columbia and the book, Toothpick Bridges  by Jeanne Pollard.

 

 

Introduction

Task

Process

Resources

Evaluation

Conclusion

 

Pictures 2002

 

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