Archimedes Academy Students Learn Engineering Principles through Bridge Building
Participating in a National Program
Students at Archimedes Academy joined Engineering Tomorrow, a nonprofit organization, to learn the principles of engineering through a bridge-building lab. This program was part of a national initiative that brought together 6,000 students from across the United States.
Understanding Bridge Construction
The lab began with a virtual presentation, where students learned about the importance of bridge building and the role of engineers in designing, constructing, and testing large-scale infrastructure projects. The presentation covered different types of bridge designs and the specific uses and conditions where they might be appropriate.
Building and Testing Bridges
After the presentation, students from Archimedes Academy built and tested their own bridge designs using popsicle sticks, dowel rods, and hot glue. They were challenged to build the strongest bridge possible for the lowest cost, simulating the process that real engineers use when building a project for a client.
Designing for Strength and Low Cost
Students designed, built, and tested the strength of their bridges, keeping in mind the engineering principles of stress and strain. All the materials provided by Engineering Tomorrow had a “cost” associated with them, and students had to consider this cost when designing their bridges.
Mission of Engineering Tomorrow
Engineering Tomorrow is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the number of students pursuing the field of engineering, especially from historically underserved backgrounds. According to its latest impact report, the organization engaged more than a half million students through its programming in the 2023-2024 school year.
Guest Speaker
Gerry Dawes, a staff engineer with Engineering Tomorrow and former Director of the Business Ethics and Compliance Department (BEC) at Con Edison Company of New York, joined the students at Archimedes Academy for the lab. Dawes hopes that the experience will encourage students to consider a career in engineering.
Conclusion
The bridge-building lab at Archimedes Academy provided students with a hands-on experience in engineering principles, design, and construction. By participating in this national program, students gained valuable skills and knowledge that can be applied to real-world projects. Engineering Tomorrow’s mission to increase diversity in the field of engineering aligns with the values of Archimedes Academy, and we look forward to future collaborations.
FAQs
Q: What is Engineering Tomorrow?
A: Engineering Tomorrow is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the number of students pursuing the field of engineering, especially from historically underserved backgrounds.
Q: What was the goal of the bridge-building lab?
A: The goal of the lab was to teach students the principles of engineering through a hands-on activity, simulating the design and construction process of a real-world project.
Q: How many students participated in the program?
A: The program brought together 6,000 students from across the United States, including 40 students from Archimedes Academy.
Q: What materials were used in the bridge-building activity?
A: Students used popsicle sticks, dowel rods, and hot glue to build their bridges.
Q: What was the challenge of the activity?
A: The challenge was to build the strongest bridge possible for the lowest cost, while considering the engineering principles of stress and strain.
