Name:

Date:

You have been hired to construct a new bridge. This bridge must span a 6 inch gap and hold
the most amount of weight without falling. Just like civil engineers, you have a limited
amount of money and resources. Try to build the strongest but least expensive bridge. You
can use marshmallows, large or small, toothpicks, and spaghetti, thick or thin. You will get
to test two prototypes, but you only have 30 minutes to create each one.
**Toothpicks can be sharp. Use all materials safely**
Large Marshmallow: $0.50
Small Marshmallow: $0.25
Keep track of your costs.
Toothpick: $0.10
Thin spaghetti: $0.20
Thick spaghetti: $0.50

Ask

_____________________________________________________________________

NGSS:3-5, Practice
1

_____________________________________________________________________

Define the Problem.

_____________________________________________________________________

Ask a Question.

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State your outcome

goal.

_____________________________________________________________________

How can you make your connections STRONG?

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

Imagine

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NGSS:3-5, Practice
8

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Draw possibilities:

What is your prior

knowledge or
experiences that you
can apply to solve
this problem?
What did you find
when researching
online?

Plan
NGSS:3-5, Practice 2,
3
Sketch/Design your
outcome.
Label/Describe all
components.

Material
Large Marshmallow: $0.50
Small Marshmallow: $0.25
Toothpick: $0.10
Thin spaghetti: $0.20
Thick spaghetti: $0.50
Total Cost:

Number we used
X _________
X _________
X _________
X _________
X _________

Price

Observations:

Create
& Test
NGCSS:3-5, Practice
3, 8, 5
Build a model.
Test the model.
Record observations
and data

How much weight did the bridge hold? ________

How much did this bridge cost? _________
How can you make the bridge stronger or less expensive?
Explain your reasoning.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

Improve
NGCSS:3-5, Practice
4, 6

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_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

What are some

limitations of your
design?

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

How will you change

the model?

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

Ask

Communication
NGCSS: 3-5, Practice
7
Did you solve the
problem?
What is your
evidence?

Imagine

Plan

Create/Test