Kids’ Art Salon ~ Bridges
Kids’ Art Salon is in it’s fourth year! To celebrate this milestone AND to pay homage to STEAM 2018, we thought we would focus on architecture & engineering. Architecture is the perfect choice for Pasadena’s year of STEAM because it incorporates science, technology, engineering, art and math!
For our third session of the year, we covered the topic of BRIDGES.
Highlights from the Powerpoint Presentation
We started with a Powerpoint presentation which discussed the definition of a bridge, different types of bridges, bridge construction, the strongest geometric shape for a bridge (the triangle), the types of triangles generally found in bridges (equilateral & scalene) and how bridges actually work (compression and tension).
Whew! A lot of information to digest in 30 minutes! This information set the stage for the “Truss” project which involved building the strongest bridge possible with sticks, glue and electric cable ties.
Here are a few slides from that presentation:
Videos of how bridges work:
THE PROJECT
Materials needed:
Popsicle sticks (4-1/4″ – 6″) – at least 200 sticks per bridge
Craft glue, glue guns and/or book glue
Electric cable ties (can be found at Home Depot for a few dollars)
Completed Truss Bridges
A Beam Bridge made of Legos 
The PROCESS of Building
Join us for the fourth Kids’ Art Salon of 2018! We’ll be talking about Classical Architecture (Ancient Greek and Roman Architecture). Sign up at Central Library’s Children’s Room desk or call 626-744-4066, option 4. The next Art Salon will be held on Wednesday, December 12 from 4-6 p.m. at Central Library ~ Studio on 4th.
This is awesome! I am working with my daughters on building bridges out of spaghetti noodles and would love to get a copy of the Powerpoint presentation? Is that possible? Thanks in advance!
Hello Shawn,
Thank you so much for your comments. I am happy to share the Powerpoint on Bridges. Shall I email the Powerpoint to you? Just let me know. FYI, there are many other Kids’ Art Salon projects you may be interested in doing at home with your children. Make sure to check those out too!
Keep me posted on the progress you all make with the spaghetti noodle bridges. I look forward to hearing all about it!
All the best,
Marie
Hello,
This is great. Would you be willing to share the powerpoint presentation?
Thank you,
Leanne
I wonder if you would share the PowerPoint with me to use in class?
Can I also get a copy of the PowerPoint to use with my sixth graders? My email is abbey.angelica@cusd80.com
Thanks!
Hello, I love the bridge design activities and suggestions. Would it be possible to send me a copy of the bridge slides to share with my 4th grade STEAM class?
Hello Christina,
I apologize for the delay in replying to your email. I was unable to access the Pasadena Public Library blog posts due to the pandemic. Now that I am back at the library full time, I am able to read my emails. Are you still interested in receiving the bridge slides for future class projects? If you do use the slides, would you please credit Pasadena Public Library? I create everything on behalf of library programming.
Please let me know! I’ll be working on additional STEAM programming this summer so look out for more projects.
Best,
Marie