2006 Popsicle Stick Bridge Building Contest





4 March 2006, check-in begining at 10:30 am
Scarborough Civic Centre, Council Chambers

1. Objective

   1. Contestants will build a bridge using ONLY:
   1. Popsicle sticks
   2. White glue
   3. Construction paper
   
   
   2. Your bridge will be evaluated by its:
   1. Load tested performance
   2. Other qualities including your design process
   
   
   3. There are two grade divisions
   1. Grades 3 to 6
   2. Grades 7 and 8
      
   
   
   4. A team may consist of one, two, or three students.
   
   

2. Specifications

1. The main structure of the bridge must be constructed only of wooden Popsicle sticks and white glue.
   Construction paper is only to be used for the deck of the bridge, which can be cut to fit the design of the bridge.
   The only construction materials allowed are:
1. Regular white all purpose glue
2. Standard wooden Popsicle sticks
3. Construction paper
NOTE: Refer to Figure 1  for an example picture of white glue and Popsicle sticks


2. Your bridge MUST conform to following specifications:
1. Total weight of the bridge must not exceed 300 grams.
2. The travelled portion of your bridge must be at least 60 mm wide, capable of transporting two matchbox cars (each car’s dimensions are approximately 30 mm wide x 70 mm long x 30 mm high). Both cars must be able to roll smoothly across the bridge deck in both directions simultaneously.
3. Bridge must rest steadily on two supports of the testing machine.
4. The clear distance between these two supports is 500 mm.
5. Ensure that your bridge is long enough not to slip or fall through this span under load. Remember that materials bend when loaded (we suggest a minimum bridge length of 530 mm).
6. The maximum length of the bridge must not exceed 700 mm.
7. Bridge structure may project up to 200 mm above the top of the supports.
8. Bridge structure may project up to 50 mm below the top of the supports.
9. Provision must be made to allow the loading platform (132 mm long x 50 mm wide x 12 mm high) to be positioned at the center of bridge span at the contest site.
   At the centre of the bridge, a vertical clear space 15 mm in diameter free of sticks must be maintained for the bolt, nut and washer to apply a test load.
   NOTE: Refer to Figure 2 for the photographs of the bridge testing machine and Figure 3 for the loading platform
10. The paper deck should be continuous and will be drilled at the contest site.
    
    
3. The Popsicle sticks can be cut and/or shaped in any way and may be coloured. Cut pieces may be used as pins in joints. If the Popsicle sticks have to be cut, then the cutting or trimming should be done using tools that are designed to be safe for children to use and should be done under the direct supervision of a teacher or an adult.
   
   
4. Attach a paper tag to your bridge, on which you have clearly written your bridge name and the names of your team members.
   
   
5. Finally, think, plan ahead and be patient… good bridges take time to build.
   
   

3. Judge’s Criteria

   Each bridge will be judged for the following five attributes:
1. Construction technique
2. Construction quality
3. Presentation
4. Aesthetics
5. Creativity
   

In the event of a tie, the judges will re-interview the tied teams.
The decisions of the judges are final.



4. Destructive Testing

1. The bridge inspectors will ensure that each entry complies with the rules.
   Only bridges that conform to all the specifications will be accepted.
   NOTE: Bridges not meeting the specifications will be disqualified.
2. Bridges will be weighed before the destructive test.
3. The load will be applied from below at the center of the deck by the loading platform.
4. Testing will consist of the application of an increasing load via the loading platform by the bridge testing machine, until the bridge breaks or flexes by more than 50 mm.
   The peak load recorded up to this point will be considered the breaking load.
5. The winning entry will be the bridge with the highest performance rating.
   In the event of a tie, the lightest bridge wins.
   It is up to your team to decide on the optimum balance between mass and strength.
   Performance rating = (Breaking load) ÷ (Unloaded weight of your bridge)
6. Be aware that all bridges will be destroyed during testing!!!
7. All decisions of the judges are final.
   
   

5. Parental Permission Form

1. Obtain the Parental Permission Form from our website and complete this form for each contestant.
2. Every contestant must submit a signed Parental Permission Form during the check-in registration on the day of the contest.
3. Contestants will not be permitted to participate without this form completed by a parent or legal guardian
   

Important Information

• Register your teams by 10 February 2006. The Registration Form can be obtained from our website
• Contest day is 4 March 2006 with registration at 11:00 am
  
• The competition begins at 12:00 pm and is estimated to end at 5:00PM
• Food or drink are not allowed in the Council Chambers.
  
• Please eat your lunch before or during registration time. Lunch will not be served.
• Please bring your own drinks as drinks will not be served. Water is available from water fountains.
• Parents, teachers and friends, are welcome and encouraged to watch and cheer!

Figure 1: White glue and a packet of 200 Popsicle sticks These are available at Dollarama or similar dollar stores for $1.00 + tax each. The coloured paper (board) for the deck are two for $1.00 For guidance, the size of each stick is 115 mm long x 10 mm wide x 2 mm thick. 100 sticks weigh about 140 grams. Remember that Popsicle sticks vary in density. Glue and paper will add weight, so, ensure that your completed bridge does not exceed the maximum allowed weight. Click picture to enlarge.
Figure 2: A bridge on the Bridge Testing Machine Take careful note of the supports that your bridge must rest upon. The clear distance between these two supports will be set to 500 mm within a tolerance of ± 1mm. The load is applied at the centre of your bridge with a bolt that pulls from below. Your design must allow space for this bolt to pass through the bottom of your bridge. Click picture to enlarge.
Figure 3: Loading Platform attached to a bridge The bolt that applies the load goes through the loading platform. A washer and nut secures it. The loading platform distributes the load on your bridge. Click picture to enlarge.