Towers and bridges both need strong shapes. Start with this video to learn about strong shapes. This video will help you imagine great designs when you draw plans for the challenges below.
This video shows why triangles are a good shape to use when building a tall tower.
Design Squad is a great resource for many STEAM projects. This tower video shows off their skills!We have many tower-building challenges. We even have a page focused on our experiences building towers. Check out edMe’s Tower Page any time!
Materials
We sell tower kits and bridge kits, and you can get these materials around your house too! Here is a quick overview of the best options:
- Spaghetti and Marshmallows – Not only delicious, but easy for the youngest architects. Can be sticky so a sheet or big piece of paper is a worthwhile work area. Some people use rubber bands so it’s easier to use these materials over and over again.
- Straws and tape – Easy to build although it takes some team work to redesign (scissors involved). Definitely allows for gigantic designs.
- Legos – If you have them, give it a shot! It takes a lot of legos to build a BIG tower or bridge, but the possibilities are definitely there.
- Newspaper – Adds a unique spin to the challenges because architects must first figure out what shape of newspaper is the strongest. The ink easily washes off of hands and it allows for some of the largest builds.
- Cardboard – If the delivery truck stops often at your house, consider injecting STEM into your recyclables. We find it’s most engaging to flatten or break down the boxes first, so you have sheets of cardboard that allow the imagination to explore. (May need a good pair of scissors.)
Freemium Virtual Simulator Apps
We have a series of challenges for you to engage with towers and bridges this week. Many of them use physical materials that you can buy here or at a local store. And, you will want to download the free app:
Challenges
Here are the STEM challenges that will help you build your brain power!
- Challenge 13: Build the tallest tower possible with 20 straws and tape.
- Challenge 14: Build the first 5 bridges in the app. (Click here if you have trouble installing it!)
- Challenge 15: Build a bridge tower in real life.
- Challenge 16: Building a toothpick tower that can support a brick.
- Challenge 17: Becoming an accomplished virtual bridge builder. (Challenges 6-10 in the app)
- Challenge 18: Understand and celebrate a bridge in your area.
- Challenge 19: Building a tall bridge
- Challenge 20: Investigate a historic bridge and show why it is strong.
- Challenge 21: Building a long bridge
- Challenge 22: Becoming an advanced virtual bridge builder. (Challenges 11-15 in the app)
- Challenge 23: Becoming an expert virtual bridge builder! (Challenges 16-20 in the app)
- Challenge 24: Create a video that teaches someone younger why bridges are strong
