iRubric: Popsicle Stick Bridge Building rubric

edit print share Copy to my rubrics Bookmark test run assess... delete Do more...

Popsicle Stick Bridge Building

Students will choose one bridge design (arch, beam, suspension, cantilever, truss, cable-stayed) to design and build a bridge using 200 popsicle sticks and Elmer's glue. The width of the bridge must be a minimum of 11 centimeters. The bridge must be long enough to span a distance of 50 centimeters. The height of the bridge must be a minimum of 12 centimeters. The bridge must be able to withstand at least 5 pounds of weight without failing or sagging more than 5 centimeters.

Rubric Code: YX2WA42

By sfrady

Ready to use

Public Rubric

Subject: Science

Type: Project

Grade Levels: K-5

Forces Acting on Structures:
	Level 1 (N/A)	Level 2 (N/A)	Level 3 (N/A)	Level 4 (N/A)
Appearance	Level 1 Struggled with (shapes, patterns) Work is sloppy throughout. Design is unattractive and/or plain.	Level 2 Limited (shapes, patterns) Design and use of glue is messy at times. Some visual appeal. glue use..messy	Level 3 Overall, an attractive bridge (shapes, patterns) Tidy work most of the time. Visually appealing.	Level 4 Extremely aesthetic in design (shapes, patterns) All construction is clean and attractive. Visually appealing.
Structure	Level 1 Basic beam bridge (no real design). Does not span a gap of 50 centimeters (unstable or incomplete). Width is not a minimum of 11 centimeters. Height is not a minimum of 12 centimeters. Did not maximize use of materials (e.g. many popsicle sticks left over).	Level 2 Bridge with limited creative design. Spans a gap of 50 centimeters, but remains unstable or incomplete in some way. Width is a minimum of 11 centimeters. Height is a minimum of 12 centimeters. Limited use of materials (e.g. many popsicle sticks left over).	Level 3 Bridge designed with some creativity. Spans a gap of 50 centimeters, is complete and stable. Width is a minimum of 11 centimeters. Height is a minimum of 12 centimeters. Good use of materials.	Level 4 Bridge designed with excellent creativity. Spans a gap of 50 centimeters is complete and stable. Width is a minimum of 11 centimeters. Height is a minimum of 12 centimeters. Excellent use of materials.
Weight Held	Level 1 Held 10 pounds or less.	Level 2 Held 10-20 pounds.	Level 3 Held 20-40 pounds.	Level 4 Held more than 40 pounds.
Blueprint	Level 1 Bridge design does not match the design of the blueprint and changes were not explained.	Level 2 Bridge design somewhat matches the design of the blueprint. If any changes were made during building, they were explained a little upon reflection.	Level 3 Bridge blueprint mostly matches the design of the finished product. If any changes were made during building, they were sufficiently explained upon reflection.	Level 4 Bridge blueprint matches the design of the finished product. If any changes were made during building, they were thoroughly explained upon reflection.

Keywords:

bridge, structures, forces, science

Subjects:

Types:

Project

Discuss this rubric