桥梁工程师 —— STEAM课程成果展 SUIS-HF STEAM Course Showcase
合肥市包河区协和双语学校
本学期我校STEAM课程聚焦于《桥梁工程师》这一极富挑战性与实践性的项目。课程融合了科学、技术、工程、艺术和数学等多学科知识，旨在培养学生的综合素养与工程思维。在为期数周的学习中，学生们不仅系统学习了桥梁的结构类型、受力原理、材料特性等理论基础，还通过动手实操掌握了木棍连接、桁架搭建、承重测试等关键技能。 This term, our school’s STEAM programme is centred on ‘Bridge Engineer’, a highly challenging and hands-on project. The course integrates multidisciplinary knowledge from science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics, aiming to cultivate students’ all-round competence and engineering thinking. Over the course of several weeks, students not only systematically studied the theoretical foundations of bridges—including structural types, principles of force application and material properties—but also mastered key practical skills such as joining wooden sticks, constructing trusses and conducting load-bearing tests through hands-on activities.
▲抗弯能力的探究 An Investigation into Flexural Strength
▲拱桥模型 Model of an Arch Bridge
▲悬索桥模型 Suspension Bridge Model
▲桁架搭建Truss Erection
经过理论积累与技能训练，每位学生都已具备独立完成一项桥梁工程项目所需的知识储备和实践能力。现在，就让我们一同走进学生们的工程世界，看看他们如何将课堂所学迁移到实际建造中，打造出一座座“真正能走过去的桥梁”吧!
Through theoretical study and practical training, every student has now acquired the knowledge and practical skills required to complete a bridge engineering project independently. Now, let us step into the students’ world of engineering and see how they apply what they have learnt in the classroom to actual construction, building one ‘bridge you can actually walk across’ after another!
STEAM 一. 桁架设计，拼出原型 Truss design: Assembling the Prototype
在项目的第一阶段，学生们从桥梁最核心的受力结构——桁架入手。他们首先学习并运用“三明治法”将木棍分层粘合连接，以增强节点的牢固性和整体稳定性。与此同时，为了精准确定桁架的压力分布，学生们借助悬链线原理进行模拟实验，反复调整各杆件的位置与角度，最终找到最优的压力线走向。在此基础上，各组同学分工协作，按照设计图纸逐步完成桁架骨架的拼装。从单根木棍的切割打磨，到三角形单元的拼接，再到整片桁架的合龙，每一步都凝聚着同学们对结构力学的深入理解与耐心实践。原型制作过程中，大家不断测量、标记、粘贴、加固，反复校验尺寸与角度，力求使桁架既符合美学要求，又满足力学性能。
In the first phase of the project, the students began with the truss—the bridge’s core load-bearing structure. They first learnt and applied the ‘sandwich method’ to bond wooden sticks together in layers, thereby enhancing the strength of the joints and the overall stability of the structure. At the same time, in order to precisely determine the pressure distribution within the truss, the students conducted simulation experiments based on the principle of the catenary, repeatedly adjusting the positions and angles of the individual members until they identified the optimal path for the pressure lines. Building on this foundation, students in each group divided their tasks and worked collaboratively to assemble the truss framework step by step in accordance with the design drawings. From cutting and sanding individual wooden sticks, to joining triangular units, and finally closing the entire truss, every step embodied the students’ in-depth understanding of structural mechanics and their patient practical application. Throughout the prototyping process, they continuously measured, marked, glued and reinforced the structure, repeatedly verifying dimensions and angles to ensure the truss met both aesthetic and mechanical performance requirements.
STEAM 二、立体桁架拱、桥面搭建 Construction of Three-DimensionalTruss Arches and Bridge Decks
完成两片平面桁架的制作后，项目进入立体化阶段。学生们将两片预制好的桁架拱竖直放置，并使用横向圆木棒进行多点连接，使平面结构转变为具有空间稳定性的立体桁架体系。这一环节对精度要求极高，各组同学需要确保左右两侧桁架对称、横向连杆水平且间距均匀，从而保证整个拱架受力均衡。随后，同学们开始组装桥面系统，将预先裁切好的桥面板铺设在横向支撑梁上，并用胶水和扎带进行固定。桥面铺设完成后，大家反复测试平整度和承托能力，确保桥面能够安全承载后续的行走测试。从平面到立体、从骨架到桥面，桥梁的形象逐渐丰满起来，一座座结构清晰、造型优美的桁架拱桥初具规模。 Once the two flat truss sections had been completed, the project moved into the three-dimensional phase. The students positioned the two prefabricated truss arches vertically and connected them at multiple points using horizontal wooden rods, transforming the flat structure into a three-dimensional truss system with spatial stability. This stage demanded the utmost precision; each group had to ensure that the trusses on the left and right sides were symmetrical, and that the transverse tie rods were level and evenly spaced, thereby guaranteeing balanced load distribution across the entire arch structure. Subsequently, the students began assembling the bridge deck system, laying the pre-cut deck panels onto the transverse support beams and securing them with adhesive and cable ties. Once the deck had been laid, the students repeatedly tested its flatness and load-bearing capacity to ensure it could safely support the subsequent walking tests. From two-dimensional to three-dimensional, from the framework to the deck, the bridge gradually took shape, and one by one, truss arch bridges with clear structures and elegant designs began to take form. STEAM 三、测试与装饰 Testing and Decoration
终于迎来了整个项目最激动人心的环节——测试与装饰。在承重测试中，老师和学生轮流走上桥梁，亲身检验自己亲手建造的作品是否稳固可靠。每当一座桥梁成功承载住行走者的重量，现场便爆发出热烈的欢呼与掌声;即便有个别结构出现轻微变形，大家也毫不气馁，而是冷静分析原因、讨论改进方案，真正体会到了工程师“试错—改进—优化”的工作常态。测试通过后，同学们发挥创意，为桥梁制作了精致的路灯和迷你小车模型，还融入了学校的校徽、校训色彩等元素，对桥身进行了独具匠心的彩绘与装饰。每一座桥梁都变成了集结构之美与艺术之美于一体的独特作品，承载着学生们的智慧与情感。
At last, the most exciting stage of the entire project arrived—testing and decoration. During the load-bearing test, teachers and pupils took turns walking across the bridge to personally check whether the structure they had built with their own hands was stable and reliable. Whenever a bridge successfully supported the weight of those walking across it, the scene erupted in enthusiastic cheers and applause; even when a few structures showed slight deformation, everyone remained undeterred, calmly analysing the causes and discussing improvement plans, thereby truly experiencing the ‘trial and error—improvement—optimisation’ workflow typical of engineers. Once the tests were passed, the pupils gave free rein to their creativity, crafting exquisite street lamps and miniature car models for the bridges. They also incorporated elements such as the school crest and the colours of the school motto, applying ingenious paintings and decorations to the bridge structures. Each bridge was transformed into a unique work of art that harmoniously blended structural beauty with artistic expression, embodying the pupils’ wisdom and emotions.
这次《桥梁工程师》课程不仅是一次手工建造的实践，更是一场完整的工程职业体验。学生们像真正的桥梁工程师一样，经历了需求分析、方案设计、材料选择、结构制作、承重测试和优化装饰的全过程。他们在团队协作中学会了沟通与分工，在挫折中锻炼了耐心与毅力，在成功中体会了自信与喜悦。更重要的是，他们将课堂上学到的知识真正运用到了实际生活中，做到了学有所成、学有所获、学有所用。相信这段“造桥”经历，会成为他们成长道路上难忘而宝贵的一页。 This ‘Bridge Engineer’ course was not merely a hands-on building exercise, but a comprehensive experience of a career in engineering. Just like real bridge engineers, the students went through the entire process—from requirements analysis and design planning to material selection, structural construction, load-bearing tests and decorative finishing. Through teamwork, they learnt to communicate and divide tasks; through setbacks, they honed their patience and perseverance; and through success, they experienced confidence and joy. More importantly, they have genuinely applied the knowledge gained in the classroom to real-life situations, ensuring that their learning has been fruitful, rewarding and practical. We are confident that this ‘bridge-building’ experience will become an unforgettable and valuable chapter in their journey of growth.
