Hamza wonders why so many structures, like bridges, are made of interlocking triangles. To find out why, Hamza interviews a bridge troll, challengers create their own bridges to cross "shark infested" waters, and the Investigators test the strength of a spaghetti bridge.

Teacher's guide available under Additional info tag. Also available DV5748.

4 segments include: INVESTIGATION/HANDS-ON: Han Ru and Stefano find strong trusses all around the waterfront, mostly on bridges and structures that hold things together. They also test the strength of a spaghetti truss with Francis, a mechanical engineer. The investigators are amazed to find that a spaghetti truss structure can hold up to twenty times its own weight. CHALLENGE: Two teams compete to create their own truss bridges out of broomsticks and connectors. Think it will hold their weight? We’ll find out when the teams have to cross “shark infested” waters. BRAIN BENDER: Since trusses are made of interlocking triangles, Hamza has a triangle puzzle for Leanna and Sabrina: counting all the triangles that make up a large triangle graphic. This Brain Bender is tricky because some of the small triangles combine to make larger triangles. EDUCATIONAL TAKE AWAY: Trusses are a simple way to make something strong and load-bearing that can cover a long distance, but is also light. Many bridges and structures û including roller coasters and Ferris wheels -- are made with trusses. A truss structure is made of congruent triangles that are either translated or rotated across the structure.