Where is measurement hiding in LEGO Games bridge strength?

Quick answer

Measurement is hiding in LEGO Games bridge strength because when you build a bridge, you measure how long it is, how many bricks it takes to support weight, and how strong it is. You can test how far a bridge can span and count how many LEGO bricks are needed to make it strong.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to build a LEGO bridge, measure its length, and count how many bricks it takes to make it strong enough to hold weight.

• You can measure the length of a LEGO bridge using LEGO bricks.
• You can count how many bricks are needed to make a bridge strong.
• You can compare bridge lengths and strengths.
• You can test how far a bridge can span before it breaks.

Why this matters

Measurement is all around us, even in LEGO games! When you build a bridge, you use measurement to make sure it’s the right length and strong enough to hold things. In real life, engineers use measurement to build real bridges that are safe and strong. You can start building like an engineer today, using your LEGO bricks to test how far a bridge can go and how many bricks it takes to keep it up!

How it works

Building a LEGO bridge with measurement is a fun way to learn about length, strength, and counting. Here’s how to do it step by step:

1. Choose two LEGO bricks to stand as the start and end of your bridge.
2. Use other LEGO bricks to build a path between them.
3. Measure how long your bridge is by counting how many bricks you used.
4. Test how strong your bridge is by placing small LEGO bricks or toys on it.
5. Count how many bricks or toys it took to make the bridge break.

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine you are building a bridge across a LEGO river. You start with two LEGO bricks, one at each side. Then you build a path with more bricks. Let’s say you use 10 bricks to build a bridge that is 10 LEGO units long. You test it by placing a small toy car on it. If the bridge holds the car, you can try adding more weight. If it breaks, you know how strong it was. Let’s try a few examples:

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Great LEGO Bridge Challenge!

You are a LEGO engineer! Your mission is to build the strongest bridge possible. Here’s your task:

1. Use 2 LEGO bricks as the start and end of your bridge.
2. Build a bridge using 10 LEGO bricks.
3. Measure how long your bridge is.
4. Place 1 small toy on it and see if it holds.
5. Try adding 1 more toy to test the strength.
6. Record how many toys your bridge held before it broke.

How many toys did your bridge hold?

Now try building a bridge with 15 bricks and test it again. How does it compare?

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking that longer bridges are always stronger.
  Why it happens: Children often think that more bricks mean more strength.
  Fix: Try building two bridges with different lengths and test them. You’ll see that a bridge with more bricks might not be stronger if it’s not built properly.
• Mistake: Not counting the bricks used to build the bridge.
  Why it happens: It's easy to get distracted while building and forget to count.
  Fix: Count each brick as you use it. You can also use a small notebook to write down how many bricks you used.
• Mistake: Testing too much weight at once.
  Why it happens: Kids want to see how strong their bridge is quickly.
  Fix: Add weight one piece at a time to see how the bridge reacts.

Parent and carer guide

Helping your child with this LEGO bridge activity is a great way to learn about measurement and engineering. Here’s how you can support them:

• Ask your child to count how many bricks they use for each bridge.
• Encourage them to compare their bridge lengths and strengths.
• Let them record their results in a simple table or drawing.
• Ask questions like: “Why do you think this bridge held more weight?” or “What happens if you make the bridge longer?”
• Don’t worry if the bridge breaks – it’s part of the learning process!

At home, you can also use real-world measurement: measure the length of a table with LEGO bricks, or count how many LEGO bricks it takes to build a wall. These are great ways to practice measurement and counting!

Practice questions

1. How many LEGO bricks are needed to build a bridge that is 6 bricks long?
2. If a bridge holds 3 small toys before breaking, how many more toys can you add to test it?
3. Which bridge is longer: one built with 8 bricks or one built with 12 bricks?
4. If you add 2 more bricks to a 10-brick bridge, how long is it now?
5. How many small toys can a bridge hold if it can support 1 toy and then 2 more toys?

Answers:

1. 6 bricks
2. 2 more toys
3. The bridge built with 12 bricks
4. 12 bricks
5. 3 toys

FAQ

How does measurement help in LEGO games?

Measurement helps you understand how long your bridge is, how much weight it can hold, and how strong it is. It’s like being a scientist testing your bridge!

Can I use different types of LEGO bricks to build a bridge?

Yes! You can use different sizes and shapes of LEGO bricks to build your bridge. Just make sure to count how many you use so you can compare bridges.

What happens if my bridge is too short?

If your bridge is too short, it might not reach from one side to the other. Try using more bricks to make it longer.

Why is it important to test how much weight a bridge can hold?

Testing helps you understand how strong your bridge is. Engineers do this in real life to make sure bridges are safe for people and cars to use.

Can I use this activity to learn about multiplication?

Yes! You can multiply the number of bricks used by the number of bridges you build. For example, if you build 3 bridges with 10 bricks each, you used 3 x 10 = 30 bricks in total.