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Description

Gather everyone in a circle.
Explain to the group that they’re going to construct a bridge can be crossed without using any rope. It was invented by Da Vinci over 500 years ago.
Explain that, to learn how to build it, they’re going to start with a small-scale version using chopsticks.
Spilt everyone into smaller groups and give each group 12 chopsticks.
Now, ask them to listen carefully and follow these instructions.
You may want to write them out or print them out and give a sheet to each group.

Resources

Pioneering poles
Lollipop sticks (you can also use matchsticks or chopsticks)

Instructions

Lay one lollipop stick on the table
Place two lollipop stick at right angles at either end of the first chopstick. These two lollipop sticks should be laying on top of the first one.
Lay another lollipop stick horizontally and on the top of the middle of the two vertical sticks.
Lift the first horizontal stick we put down just off the table and slide in two new sticks under the first horizontal and with the ends resting on the top of the second horizontal.
Add a new horizontal stick under the end of the newest parallel sticks.
Once again lift the end horizontal stick just off the table and slide in two new sticks under the first horizontal and with the ends resting on the top of the second horizontal.
Repeat steps d and e until you run out of lollipop sticks.
When everyone’s happy and can make a small Da Vinci bridge, challenge the group to repeat the activity with full size pioneering poles. You may need to find a larger space or go outside to do this.
If you aren’t able to try to make a version using pioneering poles, you could challenge groups to build the bridge in the fastest time, make the longest bridge within a time limit, or try Leonardo da Vinci’s mirrored writing.
Diagram attached.

Tags

• pioneering

Badge Links

• Pioneer - Scale