Marshmallow Bridges Build Understanding During EWeek in Minnesota

Employees in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, gave an EWeek presentation and conducted a bridge building activity for two 5th grade classes. The presentation included a short history of engineering and famous engineers, and also introduced the kids to bridge shapes, bridge materials, and bridge design concepts. With the recent collapse of the 35W Bridge in Minneapolis, there was special interest in bridges this year, and the staff presented an activity for the kids that focused on this interest. Each team of 5th graders was given a variety of materials, including straws, sticks, marshmallows, and paper, and asked to use both collaboration and creativity to complete their bridges. The activity allowed the kids to apply what they learned from the presentation, which reinforced their understanding of bridges.