Bridge Building
Design Packs
Almost anything can be designed and built with balsa and basswood, but bridges and towers are the most common classroom activity. When working with an entire group of students, model bridge kits are an excellent choice. With these class packs, each student gets everything they need for building a basswood or balsa wood bridge in one convenient package. Not only does this make it easy to order, it’s also more cost effective for your school’s budget.
Learn more about balsa wood vs. basswood to choose the best material for your classroom.
Testing Machines
After the structure is built, it’s time to test its stability. Students can use a structural stress analyzer to get real-time data that measures the force and deflection of their structures to understand the stress/strain relationship curve and describe how their building performed. A tensile tester helps them learn about the impact of increasing force and fracturing on their structures. An earthquake simulator can demonstrate primary and secondary waves by moving side-to-side and up-and-down. The results from these tests help students modify designs to create stronger structures while learning the basics of engineering and architecture.
Other Supplies
Students will also need plenty of refill supplies for their model bridge structures including toothpicks and straws. Additional educational resources are available including books and DVDs to use during class or as homework assignments. Cutting mats help protect your desk and table surfaces from damage, and many come with a knife. This makes it easy to keep your classroom well stocked for all groups. Balsa and basswood scale lumber is available in packs of many sizes to suit a range of projects. You can also choose a variety pack to get a sample of different sizes and jump start your supply cabinet.