Thematic+Unit

My Thematic Unit is on bridges and the relationships that different variables have on bridge strength. This is clearly a thematic unit because it shows patterns (linear and exponential) through experimental data and helps students make predictions on the strength of bridges based on the variables that are investigated such as length and thickness. The "bridge" theme can be carried on; such as students could create a budget for a bridge design they create.



=__Day 1__= __**Lesson Plan: Introduction:**__ Bridges are complex structures that must have the strength to withstand a variety of variables. Bridges must withstand the weather (wind storms, rain, etc . . .) and support plenty of heavy loads from cars and semi-trucks. These variables from the environment and society require engineers to be knowledgeable about the relationships these variables have on the structure of a bridge. If these relationships aren’t explored prior to building, disaster can strike. For example, The Tacoma Narrows Bridge, now known as Galloping Gertie, dramatically collapsed into Puget Sound on November 7, 1940 (a mere 4 month after it had been opened). To watch the video of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge Collapse go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m686UO68AXI. The variable that the engineers didn’t completely consider was the wind and its effects on the bridge. At the time of its construction Galloping Gertie was the third longest suspension bridge in the world. Today we will be experimenting with free standing bridges (also known as beam bridges). What variables do you think will affect how much weight the bridge can hold?

You and your team will conduct an experiment to find how the thickness of a beam is related to the weight it will hold. Particularly you and your team will be trying to find a pattern with the data you obtained in order to make predictions in the future.
 * __The Task:__**

Classwork:__** Lappan, Fey, Fitzgerald, Friel, Phillips. (2006) __Thinking With Mathematical Models__. Boston: Pearson
 * __The Process:[[file:The Process.doc]]
 * __Credits:__**


 * __Similar Lesson plan with more technology and research:__**
 * Check out this webquest- [|Tacoma Narrows Bridge Design]