2 2
grade grade
Challenge 1: Bring Home the Bacon108STEMulating Design Challenges in Science, Grades K–2
Materials
For the teacher
• images or videos of different types of bridges
• balance and known masses (300 grams for testing bridges)
• 2 chairs, tables, or a large plastic tub
• chart paper and marker
• calculator (optional)
From the Advance Preparation section
• truck
• pre-measured objects
• river
For each team
For the activity from the Engage section
• six 3" × 5" index cards
• scissors (optional)
• six 3 or 5 oz. plastic or paper cups
For bridge building
• Team Budget Page, one per team
• craft sticks, large and small
• copy paper
• ruler
• scissors
• straws
• tape, 30 cm per team
• Materials and Price List, one per team
Advance Preparation
Make a Truck
Create a truck by cutting off the
bottom 8–10 cm of a large cereal box.
Alternatively, you may collect a toy
truck or plastic container that is similar
in size and shape to the bottom of a
cereal box and has a bed to hold the pre-measured objects and known
masses during testing. For the purpose of this challenge, the truck does
not need wheels.
Pre-measured Objects
To simplify the testing process, fill three or four travel-size shampoo
bottles, or other small containers, with sand or beans. Measure the
mass of each container and record it on its side. During the test process,
place these pre-measured objects into the truck to serve as the starting
“load. ” Then allow student teams to add known masses to fill the truck to
test their bridges.
Create a River
Create a river with riverbanks using one of the following three options:
• Option 1: Stack two sets of books or shoebox lids approximately 7 .5–10 cm high and 25 cm apart.
• Option 2: Place two tables or chairs 25 cm apart.
• Option 3: Use a large plastic tub with an opening that is at least 25 cm across. You may choose to place chairs or tables on either side of the box to help support each bridge and represent each town.
cut
bridge 25cm
continued next page
river
grade grade
Challenge 1: Bring Home the Bacon108STEMulating Design Challenges in Science, Grades K–2
Materials
For the teacher
• images or videos of different types of bridges
• balance and known masses (300 grams for testing bridges)
• 2 chairs, tables, or a large plastic tub
• chart paper and marker
• calculator (optional)
From the Advance Preparation section
• truck
• pre-measured objects
• river
For each team
For the activity from the Engage section
• six 3" × 5" index cards
• scissors (optional)
• six 3 or 5 oz. plastic or paper cups
For bridge building
• Team Budget Page, one per team
• craft sticks, large and small
• copy paper
• ruler
• scissors
• straws
• tape, 30 cm per team
• Materials and Price List, one per team
Advance Preparation
Make a Truck
Create a truck by cutting off the
bottom 8–10 cm of a large cereal box.
Alternatively, you may collect a toy
truck or plastic container that is similar
in size and shape to the bottom of a
cereal box and has a bed to hold the pre-measured objects and known
masses during testing. For the purpose of this challenge, the truck does
not need wheels.
Pre-measured Objects
To simplify the testing process, fill three or four travel-size shampoo
bottles, or other small containers, with sand or beans. Measure the
mass of each container and record it on its side. During the test process,
place these pre-measured objects into the truck to serve as the starting
“load. ” Then allow student teams to add known masses to fill the truck to
test their bridges.
Create a River
Create a river with riverbanks using one of the following three options:
• Option 1: Stack two sets of books or shoebox lids approximately 7 .5–10 cm high and 25 cm apart.
• Option 2: Place two tables or chairs 25 cm apart.
• Option 3: Use a large plastic tub with an opening that is at least 25 cm across. You may choose to place chairs or tables on either side of the box to help support each bridge and represent each town.
cut
bridge 25cm
continued next page
river
