Ellenville P-TECH students recently engineered model bridges in Dawn Birnbaum's Math class, mastering mathematical concepts through hands-on learning. The students began by exploring bridge history and designs, focusing on truss bridges—structures known for their strength and triangular patterns. They weighed "pros" like cost-effectiveness against "cons" like complex repairs, applying critical thinking to engineering challenges.
With grid paper and pencils, students sketched their bridge designs before moving on to the construction phase. Building model bridges from their sketches, they put mathematical principles into practice. The project concluded with testing, as students measured how much weight their bridges could support. By calculating the ratio between a bridge's weight and its carrying capacity, students determined which designs offered the best performance—mirroring the process engineers use in the field.
Through projects like this, P-TECH students develop technical knowledge alongside critical thinking and collaboration skills essential for success in the workforce