A Study in Span: Constructing a Bridge Using Spaghetti

 
Date: June 5, 2015 | 9:00am – 2:30pm | The Atrium Shops and Cafes

The Salvadori Center held its Annual Student Design Charrette (an all-day design challenge) for public school students who participated in Salvadori’s in-school residencies on Friday, June 5, 2015.

Students designed, built, and tested the strength of bridges made from spaghetti! During the event, fifth to eighth grade students were placed in small, mixed-age design teams, mentored by engineers and architects from some of the city’s leading firms. Each team used math and science concepts to design durable bridges, at least 32 inches long, made from a limited amount of fragile material (spaghetti). The efficiency – a bridge’s weight compared to its bearing capacity – was measured and each were tested to failure.

Photos from the 2015 Charrette:

Challenges from previous years include:

• Withstand the Wind: Constructing a Tower of Cards to Withstand Lateral Force
• Spaghetti Structures: Designing a Structure Using Fragile Materials
• Modular Urban Skyline Structures: Designing a Skyscraper from Shipping Containers
• Green City: Designing an Eco-Friendly Community
• People-Friendly Public Spaces: Redesigning Times Square