Middle Schoolers Build Literal and Figurative Bridges

On the final day of class before Thanksgiving Break, teams consisting one member from each Middle School grade took on the 2021 Building Bridges challenge. After an informational assembly in Petrik Thunderdome, the students broke out into their groups for a research and planning session. Each team was responsible to create a sketch of their design before receiving their building supplies and being given the green light to begin to build. Groups were encouraged to listen to all member's ideas, and to give each person equal responsibility and input as they constructed their bridge. 

“Even though we didn’t know each other very well, it was easy for us to work together because we had a specific project to focus on,” said Kamran Jobe ’26. “Once we got started, it wasn’t hard. We all put in our different ideas and then talked about how to build the strongest bridge possible.”

The variety of finished bridges was impressive–from elaborate, multi-tiered structures to flat, highly reinforced slabs. During judging, each team tested the structural integrity of their bridge, measuring to see how much weight each could support. With the potential of utter joy or destruction–students watched with great delight, cheering on their classmates as many of the bridges successfully withstood the maximum payload.  

Parallel with the engineering lesson, the Middle Schoolers gained experience with important soft skills during the project. Leadership, creativity, communication, decision making, collaboration, and flexibility were all important elements in the success of each team. 

“Watching the concept of building bridges transcend from a hands-on project to one of creating interpersonal connections across grade levels was the perfect segue into the Thanksgiving holiday,” said Mrs. Julie Bianchi. “The students traveled through creative stages, times of frustration and compromise, and ultimately to absolute delight in finding success as a team. We could not be happier with the way our students tackled the challenge. I can't thank Ms. Dozier, Mr. Brelsford, Ms. Sassetti, and Mr. von Saman enough for bringing this activity to our students.”