Lesson 1: Arch and beam bridges
Developing an understanding of structures by investigating how different shapes affect their strength.
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Learning objective
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To explore how to reinforce a beam (structure) to improve its strength.
Success criteria
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I can identify beam and arch bridges.
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Before the lesson
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Lesson plan
1. Recap and recall
Before starting this unit, check that the children can recall:
Strength and stiffness are important when designing structures.
Materials affect how strong a structure is.
A thicker piece of a material is stiffer than a thinner piece of the same material.
Layering can strengthen materials.
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Maintained by: Kapow Primary teamLast update: 13 March 2026
