Grade 7 Students Pitch Bridge Proposals To Mayor

Judges Ryan Martin and Mayor Greg Throndson highlight the features of the winning bridge design created by grade seven students Emma, Fiala, and Kaylin. Photo Caylie Gnyra

On March 13, grade seven science students at J. R. Robson School sought to impress the mayor of Vermilion with their pitches for a replacement bridge on the road that goes out to the dump north of town.

Since January, the science class has been working on a unit on structures, exploring different forces and ways to strengthen projects. This assignment was the culmination of all their learning.

Working in groups of three, students first decided on the type of bridge they would build, with most choosing a truss bridge, an arch bridge, or a beam bridge. Next, they developed a blueprint, drawing out their ideas to scale by hand. They then used the free online program Tinkercad to develop 3D computer models of their proposed bridges. These students have been using Tinkercad since grade five, and will go on to use it to print 3D gears in grade eight as well as their own projects in a multimedia class in high school.

After the students had drafted their 3D models, the students’ teacher, Mrs. Kristi Barnes, brought in Ryan Martin, a local business owner and farmer who has trained and worked as a civil engineer, to help troubleshoot the designs. Many groups incorporated his feedback to develop new iterations on their designs. With new plans in place, the students were able to create models of their bridges using the school’s 3D printer.

Tinkercad provided volumetric calculations for materials, allowing students to calculate project costs. Even after the original 3D printing, some groups found that more adjustments were necessary to accommodate strength or safety concerns or to bring down the cost of the project.

In preparing for their presentation to the mayor, the students wrapped up the project by creating posters that outlined the name and type of their bridge, the reasons they chose that type of bridge, a cost analysis of the project, and a project sequence detailing the steps they took and important decisions and changes they made along the way.

Mrs. Barnes explained that, although the project has been running at J.R. for almost a decade, this is the first time in six years that she has brought in an expert to help with design adjustments, as well as the first time she has invited the mayor to adjudicate the proposals. The cost analyses were another new component of the project this year.

Accompanied by Martin, Mayor Greg Throndson dutifully visited each group, listening to students’ presentations, taking notes, and asking questions about design decisions, costs, strengths, and downfalls of each project. Students proudly explained their work, confidently asserting that their project fit the criteria the best.

As Martin and Mayor Throndson privately discussed final placements, Mrs. Barnes said, “I think the students did a great job. Doing the presentations was a big jump for them, but they’ve done a great job. I’m very proud of the learning and resilience that has been shown through this project.”

Taking the front of the room, Mayor Throndson addressed the students, saying, “Great projects. I never got to do anything like this when I was a student here. When you’re doing something for a town or a city, they want to see a lot of variety, and you all had variety, which was excellent.”

He continued with a brief overview of how the town funds large infrastructure projects like this, saying that the town typically comes up with a portion of the cost, and then applies to the provincial and federal governments for grants to cover the remaining amount. Some projects, like this one, could also be eligible for county funding, depending on where the project is located.

Before announcing the winning group, Martin highlighted the importance of a strong presentation. “Speak with confidence,” he said. “You might have the best bridge, but if you can’t relay it effectively, you might lose the project.”

Emma, Fiala, and Kaylin took first place for their beam bridge, with Martin noting that their open top could accommodate large equipment like tractors and combines, which is essential in an agricultural community like ours.

Following the presentations, Martin reflected on a highlight of his experience with the students, saying, “It’s great to see when you’re in here asking them questions, asking them why, and you look at them and you can kind of see a light bulb come on. I liked seeing what they changed from iteration 1 to iteration 2—it shows they’re really thinking about things. The biggest concept struggle I saw was scale, but they did really well.”

The mayor, who admitted he could be bribed with cookies and muffins, received no offers, so the win was a fair one. Congratulations to all the students for their hard work, and to Mrs. Barnes for putting together such a great assignment.