Seventh Graders Construct “Big Bamboo Bridge"
Seventh grade students used ingenuity and teamwork to build a bridge on campus. The 64-foot long structure, which all students regularly crossed on their way to the athletic fields, was constructed entirely out of locally-sourced bamboo stalks that were tied together with pieces of clothesline roping. Pine planks were cut to size and were added to create a fully functional walkway.
In advance of the construction phase, students studied fundamental bridge engineering, materials and structure. Rigging and carpentry techniques were employed during fabrication.
“Students had to apply classroom knowledge but it was much more than that,” said Mr. Lawler, creative arts teacher and woodshop instructor. “This was a large-scale group project – collaboration was integral during the construction process. This project involved group decision making, delegation of tasks, specialization, economy of production, communication, making choices about how to utilize materials and techniques in order to realize a specific design.”
Students named the bridge “Big Bamboo Bridge” for its simplicity, pure structure and form.
New Canaan Country School
New Canaan Country School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin and are afforded all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid policies or any other school-administered programs.
