P7B engineering challenge - Beam bridges

Continuing our work on bridges and structures, pupils made paper beam bridges and investigated the amount of weight (mass - cubes) they could support. 

It was no surprise that initially the paper beam collapsed, but simply by adding a few more layers we were able to observe significant improvement in strength. 

We then added a paper arch, supporting the beam, and were amazed by the dramatic difference this made. 

Pupils now understand the arch provides support in weight-bearing structures.