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We see different examples of the materials used to make bridges, including stone, cast iron, brick and steel. Using plastic is a good idea; it is light, easy to build from, doesn’t need cranes, and can be glued together. To give it strength, plastic can be reinforced with glass. This makes it strong and flexible enough to support its weight two times over.

Students could be asked to name as many different materials they can see around them as possible. Two or three of these could then be chosen to explore in greater depth. They could describe their characteristics and consider why these make it an appropriate material for its real-life use. Students could play a game requiring them to make up silly uses for materials for a partner, such as a teapot made out of chocolate or a window made of wood. Their partner could then use their knowledge of these materials to say why this is silly, for example chocolate wouldn’t make a good teapot as it would melt.

Students could also look specifically at the materials used to make bridges. If there are any bridges in the local area students could visit these to explore the materials they are made of. Alternatively, students could use photographs of different bridges. Students could discuss what characteristics make a material appropriate for use in a bridge e.g strong, waterproof, durable.