Brunel bridge making in the Otters class

This term, our design and technology work has involved bridge making. We have studied that Victorian engineer and his work on bridge making - to construct our very own bridges using art straws, pipe cleaners and glue.

• Firstly, why is Brunel famous?

  What Brunel did
  Isambard Kingdom Brunel was a famous engineer. He built bridges, tunnels, railways, docks and ships.
  When did he live?
  Brunel was born in 1806. He lived at the time of Britain's Industrial Revolution. Victoria became Britain's queen in 1837. Brunel died in 1859.
  Brunel's legacy
  Brunel built bridges, railways and the world's biggest ship. Brunel showed the world what engineers could do.
  Brunel's work meant that people could travel and trade in a new way.

Brunel was famous (amongst other things) for designing the Clifton suspension bridge in Bristol.

Check out our bridge designs below (they were all tested to see which ones could hold a train carrying Queen Victoria - I wonder if you can guess which bridges were successful...?)

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