Bridgeport Middle School Eighth Graders Excel in Engineering Project
BRIDGEPORT – Eighth graders at Bridgeport Middle School are making waves—literally! In John Martin’s Engineering and Science Technology class, students recently completed a hands-on project where they constructed a wave machine featuring pendulums that swing in a carefully calculated pattern.
Located in “The Bridge,” the school’s new multipurpose facility that promotes extensive project-based learning in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), the class allowed students to engage in practical applications of physics and engineering concepts.
Martin explained the mechanics behind their project. “We’ve designed it so that every 30 seconds, it resets,” he said. “The pendulums will keep swinging until friction brings them to a stop.”
He elaborated on the physics principle at play, noting that “the length of the pendulum is proportional to its period.” Students learned that by constructing their machine in a specific way, they could create a repeating wave pattern.
To build this apparatus, students worked in teams, focusing on different components. One team constructed the frame, another handled the strings, and a third designed and 3D-printed weights. Each team faced challenges, such as rethinking their initial designs for the weights to resolve issues related to angles.
The project offered an engaging learning experience, requiring precise measurements and testing. Students timed the pendulums’ swings, ensuring that each completed 15 swings in 30 seconds. “If you can show that the square root is the result, you can take one pendulum, measure it, and gather data,” Martin encouraged.
After about two weeks of hard work, significant trial and error, and many iterations on their designs, the students completed their projects. Martin noted that the experience was transformative for the students, who initially felt daunted by the project. “They started to realize how things worked, and they came along,” he said.
The eighth graders expressed pride in their accomplishment. Mason, a member of the frame team, explained the importance of accurate measurements and assembly timing. “We never secured anything down until we had it right.”
Holly, from the strings team, initially had doubts but grew confident as they collaborated and innovated. “We got the right amount, and we made it look awesome. It was pretty cool and fun,” she said.
Devin added that creating the weights was a hands-on experience, requiring thoughtful design and testing. Cora, also part of the strings team, enjoyed learning to tie various knots, while Sophia felt inspired after seeing a demonstration video on the project.
With the success of this project, Martin is already planning future challenges, aiming to incorporate new building techniques in subsequent classes.
Overall, the project not only enhanced the students’ engineering skills but also built confidence as they navigated challenges and celebrated their achievements together.
