Scotch College

Junior bidge builders learn their trade

Our Year 9 Design and Technology classes take on some exciting and challenging projects.

One of the most successful and enjoyable is a competitive practical problem-solving project to build a bridge over a gap with a sturdy, heavy rig.

The bridges are made with square pine rod, PVA glue and staples. They are then loaded up with dumbbell weights on a carrier suspended underneath by a chain. The carrier is loaded until the bridge begins to fail. A strength-to-weight ratio is worked out, based on the amount of nine-millimetre-square pine used and the load at which the bridge failed.

The response from the class this year was excellent, with some very carefully designed and made structures. One bridge by George Stephenson and Matthew Rawlings held 215 kilograms without failing – a new record! The photograph shows clearly the pride of the boys in their excellent work.

John Flynn
Head of Design and Technology

PICTURED right from top to bottom: Matthew Rawlings and George Stephenson; Design and Technology class group