STEM Challenge Easy Straw Bridge Low Prep Problem-Solving Bridge Design Project

What others say

"Engaging team-building activity—students worked well together to design and improve their structures."

Verna Lynn G.

"I loved the examples and rubric with this. My kids liked this assignment and I like the examples to help guide what I wanted the kids to do!"

Tanya S.

Description

Here’s another easy prep and easy materials STEM challenge that will be the most fun in your STEM class ever! It’s a bridge-building activity that gives students a choice of the style of bridge they want to try. The best news is: there are only two materials! That’s right! Two materials!

➡️What is the challenge?

In this challenge, students will have images of four kinds of bridges, a bunch of straws, some tape, and the challenge of building the bridge and being creative in using the one material they have!
Can it be done? Of course, kids will be superb in their designs, their creative use of the straws, and the extras they add to their structures.

➡️What is your prep?

You will need supplies in addition to this package. This includes straws, masking tape, string, small containers, and pennies (or weights).

➡️The package specifically includes

Cover
Teacher background
Materials and preparation page
4 pages of teacher directions
5 pages of photographs
1 extra Hints page
1 lab sheet for student use with sample answers
Task constraints with a scoring rubric
Constraints without the rubric
Terms of Use page
All forms for this challenge are included in an editable format. The page count listed for this package includes everything.

This challenge will need 1-2 class sessions to complete.

➡️ Click here to save 20% on this STEM Challenge in a 3-pack bundle!

➡️ Click here to save 20% on this STEM Challenge in a 6-pack bundle!

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STEM Challenge Easy Straw Bridge Low Prep Problem-Solving Bridge Design Project

Name: STEM Challenge Easy Straw Bridge Low Prep Problem-Solving Bridge Design Project
Brand: Teachers Are Terrific - STEM Activities
SKU: 2862522
Price: 3.50 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.87 (212 reviews)

Teachers Are Terrific - STEM Activities

22.7k Followers

$3.50

Highlights

Grades

4th - 5th

Subjects

Engineering

Standards

NGSS3-5-ETS1-3

NGSS3-5-ETS1-1

NGSS3-5-ETS1-2

What others say

"Engaging team-building activity—students worked well together to design and improve their structures."

Verna Lynn G.

"I loved the examples and rubric with this. My kids liked this assignment and I like the examples to help guide what I wanted the kids to do!"

Tanya S.

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Description

➡️What is the challenge?

In this challenge, students will have images of four kinds of bridges, a bunch of straws, some tape, and the challenge of building the bridge and being creative in using the one material they have!
Can it be done? Of course, kids will be superb in their designs, their creative use of the straws, and the extras they add to their structures.

➡️What is your prep?

You will need supplies in addition to this package. This includes straws, masking tape, string, small containers, and pennies (or weights).

➡️The package specifically includes

Cover
Teacher background
Materials and preparation page
4 pages of teacher directions
5 pages of photographs
1 extra Hints page
1 lab sheet for student use with sample answers
Task constraints with a scoring rubric
Constraints without the rubric
Terms of Use page
All forms for this challenge are included in an editable format. The page count listed for this package includes everything.

This challenge will need 1-2 class sessions to complete.

➡️ Click here to save 20% on this STEM Challenge in a 3-pack bundle!

➡️ Click here to save 20% on this STEM Challenge in a 6-pack bundle!

*****************************************************************************

Be the first to know about my new discounts, freebies, and product launches:

Click here to follow my store. It’s that easy to receive email updates about Teachers Are Terrific!

Thank you so much,

Teachers Really are Terrific!

Report this resource to TPT

Reported resources will be reviewed by our team. Report this resource to let us know if this resource violates TPT's content guidelines.

4.9

Rated 4.87 out of 5, based on 212 reviews

212
ratings

191

Grades used with

Reviews

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

7th

8th

All verified TPT purchases

Little Prep Needed

Rated 5 out of 5

June 8, 2026

Met expectations

Great value

Standards-aligned

This STEM challenge would be great for the 1st week of school, Fun Fridays, or anytime you want a fun, low prep, but very engaging activity.

Toni's Classroom Connections

(TPT Seller)

2,233 reviews • Oklahoma

Grades taught: K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th

Student populations: Emerging bilinguals

Good resource

Rated 5 out of 5

April 27, 2026

Met expectations

Great value

Standards-aligned

This resource is very thorough. I will be using this for STEM club!

Little.Learnerss.Lab

(TPT Seller)

131 reviews • Maryland

Grades taught: 3rd, 4th, 5th

Great STEAM activity

Rated 5 out of 5

February 2, 2026

Met expectations

Great value

I used the concepts, background info and forms to do a 2-hour activity with a large group of middle schoolers (including some special ed students) and it was really flexible - it could be completed at both a high- and a low-level. Because we were time limited, I skipped most of the engineering/design cycle activities, but they would work well for a longer time period.

Stacey M.

1 review

Grades taught: 5th, 6th, 7th

Student populations: Autism, Learning difficulties, Mild to severe disabilities

So much fun!

Rated 4 out of 5

October 22, 2025

Met expectations

Great value

Standards-aligned

My classes loved this project! So much fun and so engaging!

Mme Henry

(TPT Seller)

439 reviews • Outside the United States

Grades taught: 6th, 7th

Great Resource

Rated 5 out of 5

August 18, 2025

Engaging team-building activity—students worked well together to design and improve their structures.

Verna Lynn G.

7,479 reviews • Outside the United States

Grades taught: 3rd, 4th

Rated 5 out of 5

June 3, 2025

I loved the examples and rubric with this. My kids liked this assignment and I like the examples to help guide what I wanted the kids to do!

Tanya S.

268 reviews

Grades taught: 5th

Rated 5 out of 5

May 29, 2025

We loved this STEM Challenge!!! I intend to use it to provide fun activities in science year after year!!!

Mrs. Even's Cozy Classroom Co.

(TPT Seller)

78 reviews

Grades taught: 5th, 6th

Student populations: Autism, Learning difficulties, Mild to severe disabilities

Rated 5 out of 5

May 20, 2025

My class did a really great job designing and improving their structures. It was a great team building activity for the beginning of the year.

Cullen D.

19 reviews

Grades taught: 5th

Questions & Answers

Standards

to see state-specific standards (only available in the US).

NGSS3-5-ETS1-3

Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.

NGSS3-5-ETS1-1

Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.

NGSS3-5-ETS1-2

Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.