Building Bridges to Knowledge

The word “bridge” comes from the Germanic term for beam. Bridges can be found on the road, but also in politics and other negotiations as well as in your mouth and as a card game. Let’s stick to the road this time, though, by focusing on bridges used in transportation. These activities will bridge your knowledge.

CONNECT:

• Get down to basics about bridges at http://pghbridges.com/basics.htm
• How long can a bridge be? Why would a bridge make someone seasick? Find out when you check out these bridges: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/bridge/index.html
• What makes bridges so strong? Watch for the answer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVOnRPefcno
• Compare bridge structures at http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/videos/engineering/bridgebuilding.html
• This video shows you that bridges can be beautiful: https://youtu.be/SsUglw23i0g. Which is your favorite?
• Trace the history of bridges at http://theconstructor.org/structures/history-of-bridges/5491/

CREATE:

• Create a trivia game about bridges by using these fun facts about bridges: http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/engineering/bridges.html https://youtu.be/SsUglw23i0g and https://kidskonnect.com/science/bridges/
• Learn how bridges work by making your own suspension bridge: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/educator/act_suspension_ei.html
• Test bridge designs following the directions at http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/26605/build-a-bridge
• Can you build a bridge that withstands an earthquake? http://www.eduweb.com/portfolio/bridgetoclassroom/engineeringfor.html
• Build a virtual bridge at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tech/build-bridge-p1.html

CARE:

• What about animals that need to cross the road? There are life-saving wildlife crossings. See some at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6lWv8enIAw
• Covered bridges are a national treasure. Help preserve these historical landmarks at http://www.coveredbridgesociety.org
• Especially in the winter season, you need to be cautious about bridges. See why – and what you can do at http://icyroadsafety.com/icybridges.shtml
• Bridges can be dangerous! Watch and read about how air can destroy a bridge – especially Galloping Gertie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XggxeuFDaDU
• and https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/TNBhistory/Machine/machine3.htm

CAREERS:

Bridge-related jobs will always be needed. Check out these options:

http://bridges.gbaps.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=571916&pageId=6419602

https://www.nsta.org/middleschool/connections/201412TNTStudentPacket.pdf

https://www.theguardian.com/careers/architecture-career-options

How Fasten-ating!

Pins, nails, paper clips, zippers, thread, tape, glue. What do all of these objects have in common? They fasten things together. Where would we be without fasteners? At loose ends….    Fasten your eyes on these activities about fasteners. You may find them fasten-ating/

CONNECT:

• See history as it is revealed through buttons: http://www.slate.com/articles/life/design/2012/06/button_history_a_visual_tour_of_button_design_through_the_ages_.html
• Nails are over 5000 years old! Screws are about half that age. Read about the history of buidling fasteners at http://www.constructionmagnet.com/rural-builder/the-history-and-evolution-of-building-fasteners
• How does a zipper work? The secret is in the use of a wedge, one of the 6 basic machines. Read the explanation at http://mocomi.com/how-does-a-zipper-work/, and watch how a zipper works at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEf28mF4DoY
• Watch how paper clips are manufactured at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrGU9nZlBVY
• What do plant burrs have to do with fasteners? They inspired Velcro. Trace Velcro’s history at http://hookandloop.com/invention-velcro-brand/
• What’s the Scotch in Scotch tape? How was it invented? Here’s the story: http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2014/12/scotch-tape-invented-scottish/

CREATE:

• Make your own glue and paste for craft projects; you can even color it. Just follow the directions at http://www.familyeducation.com/fun/art-supplies/homemade-glue-and-paste-recipes
• How can a candy wrapper act as a fastener? When it links to other candy wrapper. Try making this Starburst wrapper bracelet: http://fluffyland.com/blog/index.php/starburst-wrapper-bracelet-tutorial/ (tip: you can use lots of different kinds of wrappers, including gum wrappers or money….)
• Here are 24 fun things to make with buttons: http://www.tipjunkie.com/post/make-button/
• Make a tool belt – for yourself or a favorite tool user: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h91Spv4oGyk

CARE:

• Fine motor skills are essential in using lots of tools, from pencils to computers – and even helping them learn to read. Knowing how to use a zipper can help a child learn and practice fine motor skills. The following article helps parents teach their little ones the wonders of zippers: http://www.ilslearning.com/2015-03-zip-it-use-early-fine-motor-development-skill-reading-writing-brain/
• Having a screw loose can be dangerous. You also need to be careful using a screwdriver. See these safety rules: https://www.unr.edu/Documents/research/ehs/occupational-safety/machine-shop/ScrewdriverSafetyRules.pdf
• Knots are really handy at home, for sports, in medicine, and for rescues. Learn abuot the basics of knots, how to make them, and when to use them: http://www.animatedknots.com
• “A stitch in time saves nine.” Repairing clothing, such as reattaching a button or stitching up a rip, keeps your clothes wearable for a longer time. Watch how to do simple repairs at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DDipUdm37o
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySlHtsFauVQ
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjmUaWkzF-I  

 
CAREERS:

Fastening things together: that’s the heart of manufacturing. And part of manufcturing is producing the fasteners themselves (as the paper clip video illustrated). Think of all the jobs that require fastening: the clothing industry, jewelry making, carpentry and construction, welding, surgery, and of course inventing. Here are a few of those fasten-ating careers.

• Manufacturing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJxNEhd_IAg
• Interview with an architect: https://plus.maths.org/content/os/issue26/interview/index
• So you want to be a surgeon: https://www.facs.org/education/resources/residency-search
• Careers in construction: http://www.careersinconstruction.ca/en/careers
• Fashion and textile careers: http://creativeskillset.org/creative_industries/fashion_and_textiles/job_roles