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Builder's Lab / Week 04 / Monday
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Week 04 · Bridge the Gap

Monday

The bridge challenge
// A paper bridge that holds the most coins
⏱ about 20 min

Monday: The Bridge Challenge

Rocket pushes two stacks of books apart on the table.

"Our toy trucks need a bridge across this gap!" Rocket says.

Raven measures the gap with a ruler. "Six inches across."

Nova hovers over the gap. "Would you like a hint? Count how much it can hold."

The challenge

  • Goal: make a bridge that holds the most coins.
  • The bridge crosses a 6 inch gap between two stacks of books.
  • Use one sheet of paper. Tape is not allowed.
  • Coins go in the middle of the bridge, one at a time.

How we measure

Add coins one at a time to the middle.

Stop when the bridge sags down and touches the table.

The last coin it held is your score.

THE CHALLENGE
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
How wide is the gap?
How do we score a bridge?
RuleAllowed?
Use one sheet of paper.?
Tape the bridge to the books.?
Put coins in the middle, one at a time.?
WHY THIS EXERCISEWhen every bridge follows the same rules, we can compare them fairly.
Draw two bridge ideas.

What makes a good score?

A score must be a number everyone counts the same way.

Coins in the middle, one at a time.

Stop when the bridge touches the table.

Then every bridge gets a fair score.

BRIDGE WORDS
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
What is the span of our bridge?
What is the load on our bridge?
Why add coins one at a time?
IdeaTrue or false?
The books hold up the ends of the bridge.?
The middle of the bridge holds the coins.?
You may use two sheets of paper.?
A bridge with more coins gets a higher score.?
WHY THIS EXERCISEKnowing the rules helps you plan a winning bridge.
Try it
Make two book stacks the same height.
Use a ruler to set them 6 inches apart.
Leave them ready for Wednesday.
Safety first
Keep book stacks low.
Stack books on a steady table.

You know the goal and the rules!

Tomorrow, we learn a paper secret.