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Virtual Bridge Builder: Test Before You Build

Design, test, and iterate in simulation before touching a single matchstick—just like real engineers prototype before construction

Part of Build A Bridge That Holds 100 Coins

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Last updated Oct 29, 2025. Clone to remix or explore the blocks below.
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content

Why Simulate Before Building?

Educational content slides

Why Simulate Before Building?

Real bridges: One chance to get it right.

  • One construction attempt
  • Huge costs (millions to billions of dollars)
  • Lives at stake if it fails
  • No undo button

Simulation: Infinite iterations, zero risk.

  • Instant feedback on design
  • Test to failure without consequences
  • Try crazy ideas safely
  • Learn from failures without danger

Engineers test virtually before breaking ground.

You'll do the same before gluing your first matchstick.

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quiz

Quiz: 3 Questions

Test your understanding with this quiz.

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Your virtual bridge holds 200 coins with 60 matchsticks. You build it physically and it fails at 150 coins. What most likely happened?

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feedback

Document Your Virtual Design Process

Complete this exercise and get AI-powered feedback.

Document Your Virtual Design Process

Real engineers document everything—decisions, iterations, and learnings. This is your engineering notebook.

Be specific: What did you try? What worked? What failed? What surprised you?