Building Bridges to STEM careers

Students have begun their next unit in science which focuses on integrating engineering, physics, and mathematics through bridge design and construction. Students will be asked to think about how bridges are planned and built. The scenario given to the students is to think about the need to replace the Center Avenue bridge in Emsworth which was deem deficient by the Port Authority and closed to large vehicles.

To assist the students, guest experts in the field of bridge engineering will visit Avonworth’s 8^th grade Thursday, 5/8/14. The experts will look at the ideas students have drawn and they will make suggestions about how basic design concepts can improve their plans.

Bridges will be built based on the students’ ideas and will be tested for strength and durability. Students will reflect on the performance of the bridges by making inferences about the data collected. The bridges will be tested on May 29 during the exposition with local engineers assisting the students.

Parents and students can follow the progress of the project on the science website
and on twitter, #Bridges2STEM.