I’ve always been fascinated by bridges, and I’ve always wanted to build one myself. So, when I saw a contest for building bridges out of recycled materials, I decided to give it a try.
I started by gathering my materials. I used cardboard, straws, and tape. I also used a few other materials that I had around the house, like scissors and a ruler.
Once I had my materials, I started to build the base of the bridge. I used cardboard to create a rectangular base. I then used straws to create the supports for the bridge. I taped the straws to the base, and then I added more straws to create the deck of the bridge.
Once the bridge was built, I tested it to see how much weight it could hold. I was surprised to find that it could hold a lot of weight! I was so happy with my bridge, and I ended up winning the contest.
Materials You’ll Need⁚
To build a bridge out of recycled materials, you will need the following⁚
- Cardboard
- Straws
- Tape
- Scissors
- Ruler
You may also want to use other materials that you have around the house, such as⁚
- Glue
- Paint
- Markers
- Decorations
Once you have gathered your materials, you can start building your bridge!
Tip⁚ I used cardboard from a large appliance box to create the base of my bridge. I also used straws from a variety of different drinks, such as soda, juice, and milk. I recommend using straws that are all the same size and shape, as this will make it easier to build your bridge.
Instructions⁚
To build a bridge out of recycled materials, follow these steps⁚
Create the base. Cut a rectangular base out of cardboard. The size of the base will depend on the size of the bridge you want to build.
Build the supports. Cut straws into equal lengths. The length of the straws will depend on the height of the bridge you want to build. Tape the straws to the base, creating a series of supports.
Add the straws. Cut straws into shorter lengths. These straws will form the deck of the bridge. Tape the straws to the supports, creating a flat surface.
Reinforce the bridge. Add additional straws or other materials to reinforce the bridge. This will help to make the bridge stronger and more durable.
Finishing touches. Once the bridge is built, you can add any finishing touches you want. You can paint the bridge, decorate it with markers, or add other decorations.
Tip⁚ I found it helpful to use a ruler to measure and cut the straws. This helped to ensure that all of the straws were the same size and shape, which made it easier to build the bridge.
Step 1⁚ Create the Base
To create the base of the bridge, I used a piece of cardboard that was about 12 inches long and 6 inches wide. I cut the cardboard into a rectangle, and then I used a ruler to measure and mark the center of the rectangle.
Once I had marked the center of the rectangle, I used a pair of scissors to cut a small slit in the cardboard. The slit should be about 1 inch long and 1/2 inch wide.
Next, I took two straws and inserted them into the slit. I made sure that the straws were parallel to each other and that they were about 2 inches apart.
Once the straws were in place, I used a piece of tape to secure them to the cardboard. I also used tape to secure the ends of the straws to the cardboard.
The base of the bridge is now complete. In the next step, I will show you how to build the supports for the bridge.
Step 2⁚ Build the Supports
To build the supports for the bridge, I used four straws. I cut the straws into equal lengths, and then I taped them together to form two triangles.
Once I had made the two triangles, I taped them to the base of the bridge. I made sure that the triangles were evenly spaced and that they were perpendicular to the base.
The supports for the bridge are now complete. In the next step, I will show you how to add the straws to the bridge.