THE LITTLE WONDER ATLAS · AGES 6–12 WITH A GROWN-UP
How a bridge carries a load
A beam bridge gives weight a route from the deck into the ground.
Follow the wonder
Choose a numbered step to highlight its place in the picture.
People and vehicles add weight to the deck.
The beam bends slightly: its top is squeezed and its bottom is stretched.
Piers or end supports carry the forces downward.
Foundations spread the forces into strong ground below.
LITTLE WONDER LAB
Predict. Explore. Discover.
No score and no timer. A surprising result is a discovery too.
1 · Make a prediction
Choose a prediction to unlock the controls.
2 · Change one thing
A simplified model, not a real-world measurement.
One toy block pushes down on the deck. The supports carry the load.
0 / 3 settings explored
Weight pushes down. A bridge carries that push to its supports.
3 · Keep your discovery
Compare at least two settings to unlock your badge.
TRY ONE QUESTION · HINTS ARE WELCOME
Where do the supports send the load?
Take your time. You can read the map again.
Show me the answer
Toward the foundations
For grown-ups: sources and learning notes
Reviewed 28 September 2026. These are introductory explanations; the diagrams simplify real structures and processes.