Last week, Mr. Wilson’s 4th class rolled up their sleeves, got creative, and dived into an exciting physics-meets-engineering challenge: building the strongest bridge out of LEGO!
The mission was simple yet ambitious:
1.Build a bridge at least 45 cm long and 15 cm high.
2.Make it strong enough to hold as many Busy at Maths textbooks as possible.
3.Complete the challenge within a 30-minute time limit.
4. 3 non-lego items could be used in the design.
The classroom buzzed with excitement as the students worked in teams, brainstorming, experimenting, and snapping LEGO pieces together. With the clock ticking, there were plenty of laughs, some last-minute tweaks, and lots of learning along the way.
Designing for Strength
The children explored creative ways to strengthen their bridges. Some teams built wide, flat structures for stability, while others used arch-like supports or crisscross patterns for extra load-bearing strength. It was fantastic to see their problem-solving skills in action as they tested and adjusted their designs on the fly.
The Big Test
When the timer went off, it was time to test the bridges! One by one, the bridges were carefully loaded with Busy at Maths textbooks. Gasps and cheers filled the room as the piles grew taller—would the bridges hold, or would they collapse under the weight?
In the end, the winning team’s bridge held an incredible 9 textbooks! It was a masterpiece of balance and support, impressing everyone with its clever design and strength.
Learning Through Play
The challenge wasn’t just about winning—it was about learning. The class discovered:
•The importance of load-bearing supports: Structures like triangles and pillars make a huge difference.
•How weight is distributed: Bridges with wider bases were more stable.
•Teamwork is key: Communication and collaboration led to the best results.
The girls had a fantastic time and came away with a newfound appreciation for physics and engineering. Best of all, they discovered how much fun problem-solving and experimentation can be!
