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=**All About Bridges ** = =A Physics Webquest =

=  = Figure 1: Shaikh Isa bin Salman Bridge **__ INTRODUCTION __** Do you cross any bridge on a regular basis? Consider the impact that bridges have had on the entire world. Construction of bridges has allowed for roadways to go over rivers, lakes, and valleys. Think about some of the famous bridges that you have heard about, such as the Brooklyn Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge, or London Bridge. Why do you think that these bridges are so well known while other bridges seem unremarkable?

Bridges play a vital role in Bahrain as Bahrain is made up of many Islands. Can you imagine not being able to go into Muharraq or Sitra without the aid of a boat? I guess that we all take bridges for granted most of the time, but this web quest allows you to look at some of the issues that must be considered when constructing a bridge.

Engineers design and manage the construction of bridges. There is a large amount of mathematics involved in designing and building bridges. There are many factors that must be considered when planning to construct any type of bridge. There are forces that act on each type of bridge and the engineers need to take them into consideration. A bridge may have to cross a small stream that is only a few feet wide or a large bay that is a mile wide. Once an engineer decides what type of bridge is best for the job, the real work begins. There are many decisions and calculations that must be made.

**__ TASK __** Suppose that an elite construction company is to open a branch in Bahrain. They have been asked to build a new bridge to connect either Muharraq Island to Manama or Sitra Island to Muharraq Island. They have started to build their website and selected your group to build a website about bridges. They also have asked you to present your website to them and make a presentation to convince them that you have the idea for the best new bridge in the most efficient location (choose one of the above with giving reasons why your selection is the best and most efficient).

**__ RESOURCES __** Here are some websites to get you started:

[|How Bridges Work] [|Bridge Basics + Forces lab (PBS)] [|NOVA bridges] [|BridgePros] [|PGH guide to bridge design] [|Bridges-their structure and function] [|Ministry of Works (Bahrain), Sh. Khalifa Bin Salman Bridge] [|Geometry of bridge building] [|What are bridges?] [|Bridging the Gaps] [|Bridges and loads] [|Suspension bridges]

**__ PROCESS __**

Divide yourselves into groups of three or four (All team members should be either in Ms. Al-Khalifa’s class or Mr. Ramadan’s class). Your first job is to research. Use the two worksheets attached to guide you through your research. These worksheets will have to be done as part of a classroom assignment. The answers will not be given in class but if you have any questions set a meeting with your teacher.
 * __JOB 1:__ **
 * You need to learn thoroughly about different bridge types (3 major types).
 * Show the forces that act on each type of bridge.
 * Examples of each type of bridge (in Bahrain and worldwide).
 * Understand the importance that different bridges have had on the Bahraini society.

[|Worksheet 2] After you have gathered information from your research, you will need to start building your website. 1. You will need to create an email account that has your name in the e-mail address, E.g. Abdulla_ali2010@yahoo.com. This needs to be done for all group members. 2. Go to [|www.wikispaces.com] and create an account using the email created above. Your user name should be similar to your email (e.g. Abdulla_ali2010). Your teacher will give you a brief overview on how to use wikispaces. 3. Tutorial videos on using wikispaces: [] 4. Since this an educational wiki, you may have a free-ad wiki. Therefore, to create your first wiki go to []. Choose a **PROTECTED WIKI** option. 5. Before just writing everything down on one webpage, you will need to sketch a storyboard. Storyboarding is an easy way to see what information goes on which page and how that page will flow with the other pages on the site. Therefore, sketch how your pages would look like and what will you include on each page. Look at this website for an example, []. You will need to show your storyboard to your teacher before you start creating your website. 6. Make sure you include:
 * __JOB 2__**
 * (a) All information gathered in the worksheets. Include all relevant information together. Look at the websites in the Resources Section and how they organized their webpage’s.
 * (b) Create a glossary with all words defined on the worksheet and any other words you found difficult.
 * (c) Include pictures on your webpage to make it more appealing to the viewer. Remember your website needs to have easy navigation so what people can view it without difficulty.

__**JOB 3**__ 1. You will need to present your website to the class. Make sure you assign roles to each member of the group. 2. You will need to create a movie clip OR a Powerpoint presentation about your proposed bridge. You will need to include where the best location is for building the bridge and why. Use FACTS!!! Use Opinions. MAKE IT PERSUASIVE!!!! GET INTO CHARACTER! You will be graded on your ability to use fact and opinion to PERSUADE us. THIS IS A PERSUASIVE ASSIGNMENT. Think commercials, think board room presentation, think about words that convince (Imagine you are on The Apprentice). Why should I choose your bridge? It must be AT LEAST 3 minutes long. Use the worksheet below to guide you through your presentation.



**__ EVALUATION __** The following rubrics will be used to assess your performance:

Webpage Rubric:

Presentation Rubric: