VIDEO: Town of Framingham Gives Expert Science Lesson to McAuliffe Charter Students

Sixth grade science students at the Christa McAuliffe Charter School, based in Framingham, are learning first-hand about the construction of bridges from members of Town of Framingham Public Works Department.

Earlier in the school year, students created 1-foot bridges using Popsicle sticks, glue, and tape. The bridges built needed to be functional, but also be aesthetically pleasing. Working in small groups, the sixth graders had to build a strong enough bridge to allow a toy car to drive through it, a boat to pass under it, and withstand winds generated by a fan.

Teacher Dan Tadmore said working with the DPW department with the Town of Framingham helped to enhance the students’ learning.

Each bridge was also measured to see how much weight it could withstand, just like real bridges in Framingham, across the Commonwealth, and across the United States. Framingham DPW’s engineering department was invited to review the bridges and judge them.

Now, the students are learning about the redesign and construction of the Central Street bridge in Saxonville from the Town of Framingham DPW department.

This was a great way for students to meet experts in the field, said McAuliffe teacher Tadmore. It allowed students to learn from someone directly, rather than to hear information from a second source, he said.

The Town of Framingham recently published a video about the collaboration.

Click on the link below to watch the 2-minute video.