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Thames & Kosmos Structural Engineering: Bridges & Skyscrapers | Science & Engineering Kit | Build 20 Models | Learn about Force, Load, Compression, Tension | Parents' Choice Gold Award Winner, Blue

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,070 ratings
Amazon's Choice highlights highly rated, well-priced products available to ship immediately.
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Structural Engineering: Bridges & Skyscrapers
Kit

Purchase options and add-ons

Size Small
Brand Thames & Kosmos
Theme Shapes
Age Range (Description) 96 months to 168 months
Item Dimensions LxWxH 13.1 x 1.8 x 11.6 inches

About this item

  • Build 20 different models that each teach about force, load, compression, tension and more
  • Over 285 interchangeable building pieces
  • Includes 36-page, illustrated experiment manual and Assembly guide
  • Skill level: Intermediate

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$37.99
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Thames & Kosmos Structural Engineering: Bridges & Skyscrapers | Science & Engineering Kit | Build 20 Models | Learn about Force, Load, Compression, Tension | Parents' Choice Gold Award Winner, Blue


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Product Description

Do you ever wonder how bridges span huge distances and how skyscrapers stay standing? Structural engineers use physics and their knowledge of the properties of building materials and geometric shapes to design structures with sufficient strength and stability. With this kit of modular building pieces, you can learn the basics of structural engineering by conducting a series of 20 model-building experiments. Each model demonstrates a basic principle of mechanical physics or structural engineering in a hands-on way. Start out with small models that demonstrate how structural elements can be attached together to maximize the strength of a structure for a fixed amount of material used. Learn about basic structural elements including columns, beams, trusses, plates, arches, shells, and catenary. Explore the forces acting on structural components including tension, compression, shear, and bending. Move onto building more complex models of trusses, roofs, and small buildings. Experiment with different types of bridge construction: a truss bridge, arch bridge, cantilever bridge, rope bridge, and suspension bridge. Finally, build models of towering skyscrapers. What is the tallest tower you can build using only the pieces included in the kit? Learn about the strength and stiffness of materials. See how structural engineers optimize factors to maximize safety, and minimize cost and the risk of structural failure. A 36-page, full-color manual guides you through model building with step-by-step illustrated instructions.

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About Thames & Kosmos

Thames & Kosmos was founded in 2001 with the mission of improving informal science education outside of the classroom by publishing high-quality science kits for children of all ages. T&K's mission has since expanded from its STEM roots to encompass other educational branches as well, including arts and crafts and the panoply of thinking and social skills that can be taught through games and magic.

T&K places an emphasis on teaching concepts and skills through tactile processes. Our vision is to give all children access to real, physical activities and projects that teach them how things work.

Structural Engineering: Bridges & Skyscrapers

Build and Construct Experiments on 20 Structural Models

Do you ever wonder how bridges span huge distances and how skyscrapers stay standing? Structural engineers use physics and their knowledge of the properties of building materials and geometric shapes to design structures with sufficient strength and stability.

With this kit of modular building pieces, you can learn the basics of structural engineering by conducting a series of 20 model-building experiments. Each model demonstrates a basic principle of mechanical physics or structural engineering in a hands-on way.

  • Ages 8 and up
  • 44-page, full-color manual
  • 323 pieces
  • 20 models

The Models: Bridges

After kids build small models to demonstrate how structural elements can be attached together to maximize the strength of a structure, they can move on to building more complex models and experiment with different types of bridge construction: a truss bridge, arch bridge, cantilever bridge, rope bridge, and suspension bridge.

The Models: Skyscrapers

First kids can follow the instructions to build two different towering skyscraper models. Then, they're tasked with using their imagination and the knowledge gained from their model building to build the tallest skyscraper they can, using only the pieces in the kit. Further information goes into detail about five types of skyscraper structural systems and the maximum number of floors that can be achieved with each type.

The Manual

The 44-page, full-color manual provides detailed step-by-step instructions for assembling the 20 models in the kit. After constructing each model, short experiments pose questions to get kids thinking like a structural engineer.

What's Inside

The kit comes with 323 building pieces to build and experiment with 20 different structural models of varying sizes, each designed to provide an introduction to structural engineering. The plastic building system is compatible with other Thames & Kosmos Construction, Engineering, and Physics kits--combine the pieces to create your own configurations limited only by your imagination!

Educational Value

Kids learn additional information about the forces acting on structural elements including tension, compression, shear, and bending in the 'Check It Out' sections of the manual. They'll also learn about basic structural elements including columns, beams, trusses, plates, arches, shells, and catenary. The manual also provides insight into the strength and stiffness of materials and how structural engineers optimize factors to maximize safety, and minimize cost and the risk of structural failure.

Quality Assurance & Customer Satisfaction

Thames & Kosmos is committed to providing quality products that users can enjoy and learn from for a long time. Our customer service department is available to troubleshoot any problems that may arise while using our kits, and replacement parts are also available. Should you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. We love our products and want you to have the best possible experience with them!

What's in the box

  • (287) plastic building pieces
  • 36-page manual
  • Looking for specific info?

    Customer reviews

    4.6 out of 5 stars
    4.6 out of 5
    1,070 global ratings

    Customers say

    Customers like the learning experience and fun of the science fundamentals kit. They mention that it works well as a learning tool, and is interesting for the development of technical aptitude. Some appreciate the engaging and fun set for kids who like to build. However, some customers disagree on instructions.

    AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

    11 customers mention11 positive0 negative

    Customers find the science fundamentals kit a good learning experience for kids. They say it's a great beginner's learning tool for structural engineering, educational, and interesting toys for development of technical aptitude. Customers also say the kit is perfect for problem-solving and provides an opportunity for self-driven learning. They mention the model is good and the booklet is informative.

    "...It will look great when they are done and like to great." Read more

    "...I do think it's a great starter kit for a grade school age person.A couple of pieces arrived broken. No issues returning/replacing." Read more

    "It works well as a learning tool for kids and the concept of roller coasters...." Read more

    "...He’s 10 years old and very smart, but he was able to do this on his own with a little bit of help from his dad." Read more

    10 customers mention10 positive0 negative

    Customers find the science fundamentals kit fun and engaging for kids who like to build. They also say it keeps them happy and busy, provides a nice challenge, and is perfect for roller coaster lovers.

    "...He has built multiple different bridges and has a great time. Directions are little hard so better for older children." Read more

    "Very fun to go through working all that is in it. It will look great when they are done and like to great." Read more

    "Keeps the kids happy and busy" Read more

    "Perfect for roller coaster lovers! My nephew absolutely loves roller coasters and building things so this was the perfect birthday gift...." Read more

    10 customers mention3 positive7 negative

    Customers are mixed about the instructions for the science fundamentals kit. Some mention the instructions are easy to follow, while others say they're hard to follow and tedious to build.

    "...Directions are little hard so better for older children." Read more

    "...It's a stand-alone building set of medium quality that's tedious to build and challenging to make work...." Read more

    "...The instructions were easy for him to follow, and he was able to put it together all by himself...." Read more

    "...By the second rather complex project, the instructions lack relevant details or even give inaccurate parts lists.Diagrams create confusion...." Read more

    Great gift for 7 year old
    4 Stars
    Great gift for 7 year old
    This Thames & Kosmos Roller Coaster Engineering STEM Kit was a gift for a 7 year old child who is interested in becoming an engineer someday.The instructions were easy for him to follow, and he was able to put it together all by himself.He is very happy with the product, but I would have liked it to be a bit sturdier. I do think it's a great starter kit for a grade school age person.A couple of pieces arrived broken. No issues returning/replacing.
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    Top reviews from the United States

    Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2024
    Style: Structural Engineering: Bridges & SkyscrapersPattern Name: KitVerified Purchase
    Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2024
    Style: Structural Engineering: Bridges & SkyscrapersPattern Name: KitVerified Purchase
    One person found this helpful
    Report
    Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2024
    Style: Roller Coaster EngineeringPattern Name: KitVerified Purchase
    Customer image
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great gift for 7 year old
    Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2024
    This Thames & Kosmos Roller Coaster Engineering STEM Kit was a gift for a 7 year old child who is interested in becoming an engineer someday.

    The instructions were easy for him to follow, and he was able to put it together all by himself.

    He is very happy with the product, but I would have liked it to be a bit sturdier. I do think it's a great starter kit for a grade school age person.

    A couple of pieces arrived broken. No issues returning/replacing.
    Images in this review
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    Customer image
    Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2024
    Style: Roller Coaster EngineeringPattern Name: KitVerified Purchase
    One person found this helpful
    Report
    Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2023
    Style: Structural Engineering: Bridges & SkyscrapersPattern Name: KitVerified Purchase
    One person found this helpful
    Report
    Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2023
    Style: Structural Engineering: Bridges & SkyscrapersPattern Name: KitVerified Purchase
    Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2023
    Style: Roller Coaster EngineeringPattern Name: KitVerified Purchase
    6 people found this helpful
    Report
    Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2022
    Style: Roller Coaster EngineeringPattern Name: KitVerified Purchase
    10 people found this helpful
    Report

    Top reviews from other countries

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    ALEJANDRO VALERIO PAYAN
    5.0 out of 5 stars magnifico regalo
    Reviewed in Mexico on December 23, 2023
    Style: Structural Engineering: Bridges & SkyscrapersPattern Name: KitVerified Purchase
    Babak khonsari
    5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT GAME.. but the pieces are already breaking..
    Reviewed in Canada on April 6, 2022
    Style: Structural Engineering: Bridges & SkyscrapersPattern Name: KitVerified Purchase
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
    clo
    4.0 out of 5 stars jouet sympathique
    Reviewed in France on November 22, 2023
    Style: Roller Coaster EngineeringPattern Name: KitVerified Purchase
    GG-Light
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loads of happy playing for our 6 and 9 year old kids (and adults!)
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 4, 2022
    Style: Roller Coaster EngineeringPattern Name: KitVerified Purchase
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
    CP
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lo recomiendo!
    Reviewed in Mexico on July 6, 2023
    Style: Structural Engineering: Bridges & SkyscrapersPattern Name: KitVerified Purchase