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This workbook fills in gradually across 11 weeks. You don't need to do it all at once — each section unlocks when the lesson introduces it.
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Lesson 2 onwards: the lesson on the hub tells you which workbook section to open. Below, each section is tagged with the lesson it unlocks in.
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Cover page
Fill this in during Lesson 2 after you get your tier sticker back.
Q1. Bridge Glossary (23 terms)
From PBS Building Big glossary: pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/glossary_head — type each definition below in your own words.
You only need 5 detailed definitions for full L02 marks. The rest unfold across L03–L06 as we meet them.
Q2. 4 Bridge Types Chart
From PBS: pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/bridge/basics
| Type | Description (1–2 sentences) | Real-world example |
|---|---|---|
| Beam | ||
| Truss | ||
| Arch | ||
| Suspension |
Q5. Forces Lab — 5 Force Types
From PBS: pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/lab/forces
| Everyday name | Technical name | Effect description (1 sentence) |
|---|---|---|
| Squeezing | ||
| Stretching | ||
| Bending | ||
| Sliding | ||
| Twisting |
Q6 & Q7. Tacoma Narrows Case Study
Q8. 12 Famous Bridges Data Table
From PBS: pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/wonder/structure/browse
| Bridge | Location | Length (feet) | Material | Date constructed |
|---|
Sydney Harbour Bridge — 15 Research Questions
Reliable sources: City of Sydney · Wikipedia SHB
5 Famous People associated with the SHB
| Name | Reason / connection |
|---|---|
| Dr JJC Bradfield | |
| Jack Lang | |
| Francis Greenway | |
| Paul Hogan | |
| Capt. Francis deGroot |
§1. Design Brief
A short description of what you are making, who it's for, and why.
§2. Specification (checklist of rules)
A list of requirements your bridge must follow. Think: what must it DO, what must it be MADE FROM, what SIZE, what LIMITS?
§4. Generation of Ideas — 3 Sketches
Draw 3 sketches on paper (A4), photograph them, upload to your Google Doc folio. Describe each below.
§5. PMI Analysis — Plus / Minus / Interesting
Compare your 3 ideas. Sentence starters: "One good thing is… because…" · "A problem might be…" · "An interesting idea is…"
| Idea | Plus (+) | Minus (−) | Interesting (?) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idea 1 | |||
| Idea 2 | |||
| Idea 3 |
More sections (§6 Manufacturing Process · §7 Destruction Video · §8 Strength-to-Weight Ratio · §9 Evaluation) unlock as Term 2 progresses.
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