Eighth Grade Design Challenge: Spaghetti Bridges

The Spaghetti Bridge Challenge is commonly seen in college-level civil engineering classes and is used to teach students about the engineering design process: identify constraints, conduct research, develop possible solutions and identify the most likely to succeed, then build, test, and redesign to achieve a desired result. SCDS eighth grade scientists took this challenge on as their first project of the 2016-17 year and in exploring their process, we find an excellent example of our guiding principles coming to life in the classroom.

Working with partners, students set out to create a bridge using only spaghetti, tape, and rubber bands that met the following constraints:

Students did not complete any preliminary research, relying instead on their prior knowledge as they designed and built their first bridges. After mostly failed attempts, they quickly realized the power of some timely research, and before switching partners and attempting a second build, they spent time exploring new design concepts and strategies on the internet, and even used a bridge simulator to test out some of their design ideas. Using the engineering design process of pre-test, modify, and re-test when working on their second bridges allowed students to identify the flaws in their designs and make adjustments to further improve their bridges. In the end, each group of students went on to build a bridge that fit and often exceeded the project parameters. One group used a suspension design to construct a bridge that was able to hold 3,800 grams. That’s over 8 pounds!

The constant inquiry and experimentation inherent to this challenge fostered an environment where student creativity could thrive. At first they were given a task that was quite frustrating -- building a bridge without doing any research to guide their approach. This frustration drove students towards an authentic research process as they realized that they required additional knowledge in order to successfully complete the project. During the pre-test, modify, and re-test process, students created new bridges based on their research, tested their capabilities, and made adjustments based on the outcomes, all classic engineering skills. Students also stretched their collaboration and communications skills as they persevered through frustration and practiced keeping an open mind when listening to and incorporating other people’s ideas into their bridge designs.

Design challenges and maker projects are popular components of the SCDS science curriculum at all grade levels, and we invite your entire family to join us at the upcoming North Bay Science Discovery Day at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds on October 29. SCDS will be among the many exhibitors present at the event, and our 7th and 8th grade students will exercising their leadership skills as they run two hands-on activities: “What makes your rocket fly far and high?” and “What floats your boat?” This family friendly event offers free admission and promises a day filled will exploration, experimentation, learning, and, above all, fun! For more information, visit http://www.northbayscience.org.