Save the salamanders

Students build a bridge to ensure safe passage across roadways for the green salamander.

First grade students at Rockwood Elementary are participating in solving a real-world problem. The green salamander, found in Fayette County located in southwestern Pennsylvania, is threatened to become an endangered species. Working with discoverED, a PA organization focused on building bridges across Pennsylvania, both literally and figuratively, our students took on a project to build a bridge for the green salamanders to ensure safe passage across roadways.

This incredible project challenged our students to engineer a bridge using marshmallows, toothpicks and Scotch tape. While working in small groups they brought their designs to life using not only engineering, but also teamwork and critical thinking.

We are so proud of what our students were able to learn and accomplish, not just about building solutions, but also about the impact that humans have on their environment and how to help preserve the beauty of nature and wildlife around us.