Have you ever imagined that your favorite pasta could help us learn physics and build bridges? Welcome to the Pasta Power project: The Ultimate Bridge Challenge in Science. In this project, SenTia Grade 9 students had the opportunity to apply their scientific knowledge and creativity to design bridges optimized for durability and load-bearing capacity.
So, why did the SenTia teachers and students choose pasta to build bridges instead of other materials?
- Brittleness and lack of elasticity: Pasta shares similar characteristics to concrete regarding its failure mechanism. This allows students to carefully consider forces such as compression, tension, and shear when designing the bridge.
- Differing load-bearing capacity: Pasta is weak under tension but strong under compression, similar to some construction materials in real life. This requires students to apply critical thinking to balance the applied forces and design a bridge structure with the best load-bearing capacity.
- Clear failure mechanism: In the case of a bridge failure, students can easily observe the points of destruction, helping them learn from mistakes and improve their models.
- Recycled materials: Using expired pasta helps students develop their creative skills and fosters a sense of thriftiness and environmental consciousness.
Additionally, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving are key skill factors in creating successful projects.
