Measuring and Planning Designs

Year 8 Technology — Building Bridges: Engineering Skills

Name:

Date:

Measuring and planning designs illustration

📏 Part 1: True or False & Fill in the Blanks

Circle True or False for each statement, then complete the fill-in-the-blank questions below.

1. When measuring balsa wood, you should always start from the 0 mark on the ruler.

True

False

2. It does not matter if your measurements are slightly wrong — small errors will not affect your bridge design.

True

False

3. A tape measure is useful for measuring longer or curved lengths that a ruler cannot easily reach.

True

False

4. Graph paper is used when drawing design plans because it helps you draw to scale more easily.

True

False

5. Complete the sentences using the words in the box below.

Word Bank: centimetres | splinter | set square | double-check | scale

a) Always _________________ your measurements with your partner before recording them on your plan.

b) Measurements on a design plan are usually drawn to _________________, meaning the drawing is smaller than the real object.

c) Balsa wood can _________________ if it is handled roughly, so always be careful when picking it up.

d) A _________________ can help you draw accurate right angles (90°) on your design plan.

e) In Australia, we measure small lengths in _________________ (cm).

✏️ Part 2: Multiple Choice & Short Answer

6. Which tool would you use to measure the length of a piece of balsa wood that is 35 cm long?

A protractor

A ruler or tape measure

A set square

A pencil

7. When drawing your bridge design plan, which of the following should you include? (Tick ALL that apply)

The length and width of each piece

The colour of your pencil case

Labels showing measurements in centimetres

Notes about angles or joins

Your name and the date

8. List two safety rules you should follow when handling balsa wood and measuring tools in class.

1. ___________________________________________________________________________

2. ___________________________________________________________________________

9. Your partner measures a piece of balsa wood and says it is 12 cm long. You measure it and get 11.5 cm. What should you do next?

10. Why is it important to draw your bridge design on paper before you start building? Write 2–3 sentences.

📐 Part 3: Design Planning Activity

Use the grid below to draw a simple top-view plan of one section of your bridge. Each square = 1 cm. Label at least two measurements on your drawing using arrows and numbers.

After completing your drawing, answer this question:

What is one thing you would change or improve about your plan after looking at it again? ___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________