Drive over, Float under

This activity is a great option to:

• Develop the ability to build a structure to meet given criteria.
• Foster analytical thinking.
• Elicit the ability to analyse a construction before building it: identify the purpose of the structure, identify the main functional components, identify necessary physical characteristics,
  
• Practise constructing spans and piers.
• Develop the ability to identify and name the most important functional components of a structure.
  
• Review the idea that the specific function of a structure governs our choice of blocks.
  
• Foster understanding of spatial orientation and symmetry.
• Practise using the language of spatial orientation, (over, under, next to, across, on both sides, opposite, beyond, etc.).
  
• Encourage children to work together as a team.

 DEVELOPMENTO OF THE ACTIVITY

 1. Show the children a picture of a bridge over the river. Help the children to describe its main parts (ramps, piers and span), length (long or short) and width (wide or narrow). Next, ask: "What does the ramp look like? (A slope); Why wasn't the ramp built with steps? (lt is for cars).

2. Now build a transport bridge step-by-step. Explain what building blocks you use for each functional part of the bridge. Draw their attention to how symmetrically the piers are placed exactly opposite each other and how precisely the beam rests on the top of them. During the explanation use as much spatial vocabulary as possible, e.g. on the top, next to, opposite to, under, over, on both sides. Check that the children understand.

Then, give the children a set of blocks and cars and ask them to build a road bridge.

3. Give the children a set of bricks, cars 4 cm wide, boats 7 cm high, a blue paper strip 14 cm wide and ask them to build a bridge over a wide river. 

Children need to meet the given criteria (build the bridge wide enough to allow cars to travel over it, high enough to allow boats to pass beneath it and the pillars strong enough to support such a structure). They add ramps for the cars to drive up to and down from the span.

After they have completed their project, take one of the cars and say you will test the bridges before they are opened to the public. Drive the car over all the bridges.  

Next, test the height of the bridge by "sailing" a boat under it and commenting about how it spans the whole width of the river. lf the bridge passes the test, give the child a Builder's Certificate.

 RESOURCES