Popsicle Bridge

Student Worksheet:
Design Your Own Bridge

You are part of a team of engineers who have been given the challenge to design a bridge out of up to 200 popsicle sticks and glue. Bridges must be able to hold a specific weight (your teacher will decide what the weight goal will be for your team). The bridge must span at least 14 inches in length.  But, it must be longer than 14 inches because when it has been constructed, it will be placed between two chairs so it is at least one foot above the floor for a weight bearing test. In addition to meeting the structural and weight bearing requirements, the bridge will be judged on its aesthetics as well, so be creative!  And, you are encouraged to use the fewest number of popsicles possible to achieve your  goal.
  
 Planning Stage
Meet as a team and discuss the problem you need to solve.  Then develop and agree on a design for your bridge.  You'll need to determine how many popsicle sticks you will use (up to 200) -- and the steps you will take in the manufacturing process. Think about what patterns might be the strongest….but you are also being judged on the aesthetics of your bridge! Draw your design in the box below, and be sure to indicate the number of sticks you anticipate using. Present your design to the class. You may choose to revise your teams' plan after you receive feedback from class.  

Number of popsicle sticks you anticipate using:

	
 Popsicle Bridge

Student Worksheet (continued): 

 Construction Phase

Build your bridge.  During construction you may decide you need additional sticks (up to 200) or that your design needs to change.  This is ok -- just make a new sketch and revise your materials list. 

 Aesthetic Vote

Each student will cast a vote about the look of each bridge.  The scale is 1 - 5 -- (1: not at all appealing; 2: not appealing; 3: neutral/average; 4: somewhat appealing; 5: very appealing).  This number is averaged to generate a score for each bridge.  This score is not based on how well the bridge might hold weight, but on how it looks.

 Testing Phase

Each team will test their bridge to see if it can withstand the required weight for at least one full minute.  Be sure to watch the tests of the other teams and observe how their different designs worked.

 Evaluation Phase
Evaluate your teams' results, complete the evaluation worksheet, and present your findings to the class.

Use this worksheet to evaluate your team's results:

1. Did you succeed in creating a bridge that held the required weight for a full minute?  If not, why did it fail?

2. Did you decide to revise your original design while in the construction phase?  Why?

3. How many popsicle sticks did you end up using?  Did this number differ from your plan?  If so, what changed? 

 Popsicle Bridge

Student Worksheet (continued): 

4.  What was the average aesthetic score for your bridge?  How did this compare to the rest of the class?  What design elements of other bridges did you like the best?

5. Do you think that engineers have to adapt their original plans during the construction of systems or products?  Why might they?

6. If you had to do it all over again, how would your planned design change?  Why?

7.  What designs or methods did you see other teams try that you thought worked well?

8.  Do you think you would have been able to complete this project easier if you were working alone?  Explain…

9.  What sort of trade-offs do you think engineers make between functionality, safety, and aesthetics when building a real bridge?