Building the Buckman!
Kindergarten students engineer bridges in the Science Lab.
Watch out, world — our Kindergarten class is full of the next great bridge builders! In Ms. Deborah Landon’s Science Lab, the kids turned into clever engineers, using their big imaginations to create incredible bridges with just paper stretched across wooden blocks (the perfect support columns!).
Back
First, they dove into the world of bridge design and learned about all kinds of amazing types: mighty arch bridges, strong beam bridges, clever truss bridges, cool cable-stay bridges, cantilever bridges that stretch out like arms, and beautiful suspension bridges that seem to float! The coolest discovery? The triangle is the strongest shape ever, like a superhero secret in engineering!
The challenge got even more thrilling: make the paper stronger without scissors or tape! With creative folding tricks (think fan shapes and clever bends), the paper held up like magic.
Students buzzed around the room like real engineers, chatting with their classmates to swap ideas and cheer on what worked best. Ms. Landon gave them the freedom to experiment and discover the winning designs all on their own, and they absolutely shone!
To wrap up their adventure, everyone teamed up to build a replica of the famous Buckman Bridge, carrying I-295 across the St. Johns River, using index cards and tape.
Our Kindergarten bridge-builders showed amazing ingenuity, creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. What an inspiring way to learn science! Who knows what they’ll engineer next?
Jacksonville Country Day School
Located in Jacksonville, FL, Jacksonville Country Day School is a private school for Pre-K 3 through 5th grade. JCDS prepares students for a healthy and productive lifetime of intellectual exploration, character development, and social responsibility.
Accredited by
© 2025 Jacksonville Country Day School. All Rights Reserved.