Popsicle Stick Bridge
Do you like bridges? The feeling of looking down on a river or over the edge of a highway
overpass can be exciting. Bridges are amazing structures that allow people to get from one place to the
next on paths that can seem to go straight through the air. This isn’t magic, it’s engineering! For
thousands of years engineers have been building structures specially designed to hold a great deal of
weight without breaking. In this challenge, you will use popsicle sticks, paper, and masking tape to build
a bridge of your own. The bridge must be no longer than 50cm and will span a gap 40cm across. How
much weight will your bridge hold? Good luck.
Directions:
1. Obtain 100 popsicle sticks, 5 sheets of paper and a roll of masking tape.
2. Brainstorm a plan and sketch a blueprint on this page (don’t forget that the bridge must span a
40 cm gap).
3. Weight will be added to the middle of the bridge, make sure you have a place that can hold the
washers.
4. Review the bridge construction tips and look for ways to improve your bridge.
5. Revise your plan to take into account what you learned from the research. Use the back of the
page if you want to make a new sketch.
6. Begin building. Your bridge must span a gap of 40cm and can be no more than 50cm long.
7. Bring your bridge to the testing station. Add washers until they fall off or the bridge breaks.
Record your results.
Blue Print (Sketch your design)
Bridge Construction Tips
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Truss bridges are very strong and easy to make with popsicle sticks. Here are side views of some
examples 1.
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Symmetrical bridges (both sides exactly the same) and bridges that are well built hold more
weight so take your time.
Tape the joints between popsicle sticks carefully. These will be weak points on the bridge and
should be carefully constructed.
Paper can be a strong building material if used well. Be creative!
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Image from http://questgarden.com/136/52/7/111205062314/process.htm