Intro to Bridges

By Bethany Vice Bowling •

Grade Level	10th
Subject Area	Mathematics - Geometry
Duration	Approximately 1 70-minute session
Background Knowledge	Students should have basic knowledge of angles and how to measure angles, and the relationship between angles within a design having parallel and transversal lines.
Author	Bethany Vice Bowling

Summary
The different types of bridges are discussed with examples from the Cincinnati area. The students then model the bridge types using their bodies. Finally, the students apply their knowledge of geometrical relationships to the design of local bridges.

Objectives
1. Students will be able to describe the relationship between geometrical concepts and different structures, specifically bridges, in their community. 2. Students will be able to use a protractor to accurately determine the measure of angles in complicated formations such as a bridge design. 3. Students will be able to identify the relationship of angels in a complicated formation such as a bridge design.

Mateirals Required
Rope – 12 ft in length Protractors

Ohio Standards

Mathematics

8th Grade
Measurement
• Find the sum of the interior and exterior angles of regular convex polygons with and without measuring the angles with a protractor.
Geometry and Spatial Sense
• Recognize the angles formed and the relationship between the angles when two lines intersect and when parallel lines are cut by a transversal.

10th Grade
Geometry and Spatial Sense
• Make, test and establish the validity of conjectures about geometric properties and relationships using counterexample, inductive and deductive reasoning, and paragraph or two-column proof, including:

b. prove theorems involving triangle similarity and congruence;
c. prove theorems involving properties of lines, angles, triangles and quadrilaterals;
d. test a conjecture using basic constructions made with a compass and straightedge or technology.