Intellectual Activity

STEM Bridge Building Challenge

This engineering challenge helps children solve problems, test ideas, and work together. It fits well into the intellectual category because the activity rewards creativity and experimentation.

Time25 to 35 minutes
Best ForSmall teams
SpaceTables in a classroom or cultural hall
SuppliesCraft sticks, tape, straws, paper, small weights

How To Run It

  1. Divide the children into teams of two to four.
  2. Give each team the same supplies and challenge them to build a bridge that spans a gap and holds weight.
  3. Allow a planning minute before building starts.
  4. Test each bridge by adding weight slowly.
  5. Ask what they would change if they could rebuild it.

Questions To Ask

  • Which shapes made your bridge stronger?
  • What part held the most weight?
  • How did your team decide what to try first?