Toothpick Bridge -- STEM Project

For another smooth integration for your science and math curriculum, this 21st Century Math Project intends to bridge that gap. Hahaha get it? Bridge the gap! And it's a project about Bridges! You get it? Contest style, students will try to build the strongest bridge as light as possible. 

Name: Toothpick Bridge

Take that toothpick out of your mouth and build a bridge
with it!

Suggested Grade Level: 7-12 (Geometry skills)

Math Concepts: Measurement, Shapes, Symmetry

Interdisciplinary Connections: Engineering, Science, Architecture

Teaching Duration: 4-5 Days (can be modified)

Cost: $5 for a 12 Page PDF (1 project, 1 assignment and handouts) 

PDF Version: Toothpick Bridge @ TPT

The Product: Students create presentations regarding their design process and the links to geometry. Oh, and of course an awesome contest.

What's all that noise?! Student
Engagement?!! Bah!!

One of my favorite high school memories was doing this type of project in Physics. I seemed to have a glue problem -- meaning that I used WAY too much glue. I still contend that the bridge didn't break, but kind of folded. So while I certainly did not invent this project, I thought the applications to geometry were really strong. Each type of design has elements of geometry built in.

Break stuff? I'm in.

In this project, teams of up to three students will construct a bridge out of only toothpicks. This toothpick bridge must be able to hold a predetermined load without failing. Teams will research the style of bridges, create a three-view diagram of a bridge, build it, test it and complete a presentation about the project and its connection to geometry and the design process. The ultimate goal is to build a bridge that is strong, but is light as possible. The bridge with the greatest ratio of load weight to bridge weight will win the contest.

I limit students to only using flat toothpicks and Elmer's glue. I find the simpler, the easier. 

As far as testing these bridges go some people like to stack free weights. In high school, I recall this falling on someone's foot so I didn't do this. I've seen a string connecting a bucket to a 2x4, but that would require having a drill press handy. I've chosen to write the project using a good ol' fashion bungee cord and a large bucket (think a 5 gallon paint can). I like to write these in a way anyone can pull them off with minimal complications. 

Who needs a consultation?

In the bucket, I fill it with water and use a household scale to determine the winner. Of course, you'll need to borrow a gram scale to measure the weight of the bridge. While it is a little bit of hunting, the payoff promises to be a blast and one that high school students will not forget.

EXTENSION: You could attach a budget to this project! Maybe charging for toothpicks and cups of glue. Maybe charge for an engineering consultation. The possibilities are endless. 

It seems around every corner there's a new STEM school popping up and 21st Century Math Projects can help! If this is interesting I've also integrated projects for an Egg Drop, Box Car Derby and Solar Oven. 

Box Car Derby -- STEM Project

I feel the need, the need for practical equation solving

Hands-on math takes center stage in this 21st Century Math Project. Implementing STEM style project-based learning is the focus in this middle and high school math project. Along with designing, building and constructing a cardboard car students will use algebra skills to solve basic physics problems, engage in reflective writing and use data to support their decisions.

Name: Box Car Derby
Suggested Grade Level: 7-12 (Algebra I math skills)
Math Concepts: Manipulating & Calculating with Basic Physics Equations, Measurement
Interdisciplinary Connections: Science & Engineering
Teaching Duration: 3-5 Days (can be modified)
Cost: $5 for a 12 Page PDF (1 project and essentials, 1 assignment with answer key)
PDF Version: Box Car Derby @ TPT

The Product: A Box Car Derby Competition! With optional reflective presentation of results and Design Process.

What's that noise?

Transform an ordinary Pop-Tart box into a smooth riding street racer! Students will get uber-enaged in this 21st Century Math Project in their attempt to be fastest racer. This serves as Middle or High School math project and can be a great collaboration between math and science.

The first time I used this project was in my 9th Grade Algebra 1 Class in a collaboration with the Physical Science teacher. Students submitted designs, “purchased” items for our store with their budget, built and test to perfection. It’s safe to say, this project was a huge success. The most difficult aspect was getting a strong wheel and axle combination. By far the best combo that worked were straight straws (with no bendy neck) and tealight candles. You can get a billion of them for $10 at Amazon.

Playing with Fruit Loops boxes.
Is that in the Common Core?

While there is not precise Common Core standard for Fruit Loops boxes, these are a few high school standards that fit this project:

Algebra:
--Seeing Structure in Expressions
• Interpret the structure of expressions
-- Reasoning with Equations and Inequalities
• Understand solving equations as a process of reasoning and explain the reasoning
• Solve equations and inequalities in one variable
• Rearrange formulas to highlight a quantity of interest, using the same reasoning as in solving equations.
Statistics:
-- Interpreting Categorical and Quantitative Data
• Summarize, represent, and interpret data of two categorical and quantitative variables
-- Making Inferences and Justifying Conclusions
• Make inferences and justify conclusions from sample surveys, experiments and observational studies

Can I take my Ratchet-Mobile home with me?

Let the games begin! After the Box Car Derby, it is in the teacher’s discretion to turn it into a Demolition Derby. While it sounds appeal, you’re soft (and hard) children will likely want to keep their car after their significant bonding period. It’s like a birth.

EXTENSION: While these cars are small enough to carry around, making a person-sized derby car sure sounds like a fun idea. Probably for extra credit 

21st Century Math Projects on the fast track to practical equation solving! If during the course of reading this blog you have went to your cupboard to see if you have a nearly empty Pop-Tart box, raise your hands.

Egg Drop Contest -- STEM Project

Drop some eggs. Do some math.

Want to fire up the engagement of your students with a Hands-On STEM project? Want to do an interdisciplinary collaboration with the science teacher? Want to smash some eggs?

Name: Egg Drop Contest

Suggested Grade Level: 7-12 (Primarily Algebra 1 math skills, but project can be modified for different levels)

Math Concepts: Solving Equations, Collecting Data, Measurement & Using Science Equations

Interdisciplinary Connections: STEM, Physical Science, Engineering & Physics

Teaching Duration: 5-7 Days (can be modified)

Cost: $8 for a 21 Page PDF (1 project & essentials, 2 assignments and Answer Key) 

PDF Version: Egg Drop @ TPT

The Product: An Egg Drop Competition with an Optional Reflective Presentation of Results and Design Process

This will never work. They'll throw
egg at each other. And you have to buy
all that stuff!

This 21st Century Math Project might find its way into a Middle or High School classroom. Of course I did not invent the idea of an Egg Drop Competition, but built a set of math questions and assignments around it to make it more authentic and rigorous for a math classroom. Included alongside all the essential elements that will make your Egg Drop Contest a success, I have wrote a pair of follow-up activities that can actually be used whether or not you actually do an egg drop. These assignments hammer home the math skills taught in the lesson and serve as a stand-alone or follow-up activities.

My first time implementing the egg drop project was as a 9th Grade Algebra 1 teacher in collaboration with the Physical Science Teacher. The goal was to create a STEM project that would engage students while capping off our first quarter's worth of curriculum. In his case it was Force, Velocity, Acceleration and in my case it was Solving Equations. We thought this project was a perfect match.

You look like you're just throwing eggs
out the window! Please tell me there's a
Common Core Standard for that.

To date no students have ever thrown eggs at each other. In order to have a store stocked with supplies, I've spent between $10-20 on random stuff to use to build, but I work in schools where students can bring very little. You can just as easily have students bring stuff from home to donate to the store.

I have gotten eggs donated every year I've done it. A local grocery will happily write off an older batch to make it happen. To save the eggs for the contest, I use golf balls to test the devices. They are roughly the same shape and size.

While there are a number of Common Core Standards that are hit in this project, I have selected just a few from the Common Core High School Math 

Algebra:

-- Seeing Structure in Expressions

• Interpret the structure of expressions

-- Reasoning with Equations and Inequalities

So yeah, this will be really helpful
when I'm throwing eggs out of windows!
This is ridiculous!

• Understand solving equations as a process of reasoning and explain the reasoning
• Solve equations and inequalities in one variable

Statistics:

-- Interpreting Categorical and Quantitative Data

• Summarize, represent, and interpret data of two categorical and quantitative variables

-- Making Inferences and Justifying Conclusions

• Make inferences and justify conclusions from sample surveys, experiments and observational studies

Engineering Design Process of NC State University

While this project isn't the most authentic of tasks as Swagg Jones has pointed out, there is a fundamental backbone to this that is authentic. 

The Engineering Design Process. 

Research. Design. Build. Test. Redesign. Test. And on... I have written the project to revolve around this process and I suggest teachers to explicitly teach the process alongside the mathematics. This makes it more real 

Is there any way to involve the community?

EXTENSION: This project does lend itself to quite a spectacle. I have successfully contacted the local Fire Department and they brought out their biggest truck lift for the Grand Finale. This experience is something students will never forget, but should also gain a solid grasp on measurement and solving equations. 

I have also successfully invented local engineers to come, build and bounce ideas with the students. It allows kids to network with professionals and allows the engineers to see the sun. 

So there you have it, the first of many 21st Century Math Projects that I will share on this site. Boomdiggy.