Second graders have finished their civil engineering story, learning ways in which the main character, Javier, has solved a bridge-building problem.  Learning about bridge parts and forces, Javier built many types of bridges, tested them out, and discovered the best solution to being able to get to his fort across the river once again!

As civil engineers, second graders are specifically focusing on one structure this branch of engineering focuses on, and that structure is a bridge.  Bridges come in many shapes and styles.  

There are three distinct bridge types:  beam, arch, and suspension.  Beam bridges are the weakest and are good for spanning short distances.  Suspension bridges provide the most support over long distances, yet are they are more expensive to build.  Each bridge has special parts that help keep the bridge's shape and structure.  Second graders are becoming bridge experts!

Civil engineers have a very important job!  They are responsible for developing the structures that the public uses.  These structures include (but are not limited to):  schools, bridges, buildings, sidewalks, highways, etc.  They must work with architects and geotechnical engineers very closely!

Second graders just began their unit on civil engineering.  In a picture discussion, they were able to see the many technologies civil engineers design and what happens when those technologies fail.  They saw some pretty interesting things for sure!

Javier is a young boy living in the United States in Texas.  He has a favorite for that he likes to visit, until one day, the bridge that connects the path from his house to the fort collapses and breaks.  Poor Javier!  He can no longer visit his fort!

Learning about the work civil engineers do, Javier redesigns the bridge to make visiting his fort a possibility again!

Key Vocabulary:  bridge, civil engineer, force, abutment, pier, suspension, cable, span, materials, properties, and structures