Class News

Year 4

On Thursday the 14th of June, the Year 4 students were challenged to solve a STEM problem. They needed to create a bridge using only 50 straws and some masking tape, that would hold a can of baked beans. The bridge had to be 40 cm long and span across a 10 cm wide river, without any support structure in the water.

As a class, we focused on collaboration, problem solving and creative thinking skills, and we did our best to document our thinking throughout the process.

We started with a brainstorm of what we already knew about bridges, then read a brief history and looked at photographs of bridges from around the world. Students were posed with the questions - What do you see? What do you think about that? What do you wonder?

The children worked in groups of three to research, design and construct their bridges.

Then, the first moment of truth - students tested their bridges with the baked bean can on it over the river. Some bridges collapsed while others became unbalanced and the can rolled off into the water. Each group had a chance to observe, reflect on what happened and why, and then make a plan to redesign their bridge. We discussed looking at failure as an unexpected outcome, and not a reason to give up, but a reason to find another way of doing something.

After time to think critically and creatively and put our problem solving skills to the test, the Year 4’s modified their bridge designs, made the appropriate changes and we tested them for the second time. Each group was able to articulate how and why they changed their bridges, and it was great to see less bridges collapsing or tilting when the can was placed back on them.

Congratulations to all the Year 4 students, for your hard work, collaboration and problem solving skills.