Lesson Plan (Grades 3-5): STEM Bridge Building Challenge - Engineering for Kids

Lesson Title: STEM Bridge Building Challenge: Engineering for Young Innovators

Grade Level: Grades 3-5

Subject Area: Engineering/Science

Overview: In this lesson, students will work in teams to design and build bridges using various materials. They will explore engineering concepts such as tension and compression, test the strength of their bridges with weights, and analyze what makes a strong bridge. This hands-on activity fosters teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives:

   1. Students will understand basic engineering principles, including tension and compression.

   2. Students will design and construct a bridge using different materials.

   3. Students will test the strength of their bridges and analyze the results.

   4. Students will work collaboratively to solve engineering challenges and improve their designs.

Standards Alignment:

• Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS):
  • 3-5-ETS1-1: Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.
  • 3-5-ETS1-2: Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
• Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for Mathematics:
  • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.MD.B.4: Generate measurement data by measuring lengths using rulers marked with halves and fourths of an inch.
  • CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP1: Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.