EDUCATION WEEK POPSICLE BRIDGE COMPETITION MARCH 5, 1-3 pm ABERDEEN CENTER

BRIDGES WILL BE OFFICIALLY TESTED BY GEERING UP UBC ENGINEERING & SCIENCE FOR KIDS!

The goal of the contest is to construct the strongest bridge possible with only 75 Popsicle sticks and Elmer’s School Glue. The design and construction of the bridge is left up to the competitor.

SCHEDULE TIME

Check-in 12:00 p.m. Bridge Display for Public Viewing 12:30 p.m. Bridge Testing 1:00 p.m. Awards Ceremony 1:45 p.m.

Prizes:

• Certificates will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishes in the elementary and secondary category • Winners must be present to claim certificates

#EdWeekSD38 @RichmondSD38 /RichmondSD38 website: edweek.sd38.bc.ca EDUCATION WEEK POPSICLE BRIDGE COMPETITION MARCH 5, 1-3 pm

OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES

Registration:

1. Only students from Richmond School District can participate in the contest. 2. Contestants may participate as individuals or as teams but it is highly encouraged that all participants register as teams of 2 or more. 3. Each bridge built by a team is considered as one entry. 4. A registration form should be emailed to [email protected] by January 20, 2017. 5. Everyone is responsible for providing their own supplies. 6. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.

Supplies:

1. Standard wooden popsicle sticks 11.3 cm long and 1 cm wide. 2. Popsicle sticks with non-standard dimensions are not allowed. 3. Elmer’s School Glue or Titan School Glue (No other glues are acceptable).

Construction:

1. The bridge must be built with a maximum of 75 Popsicle sticks and Elmer’s School Glue. 2. Popsicle sticks must be used without alteration. No cutting, grinding or sanding is permitted. 3. The bridge must span a 350mm gap to ensure that it can be tested by the bridge tester. 4. We recommend that the bridge be 400mm long (25mm excess on each end) 5. The bridge must not exceed 450mm in length 6. The bridge must not exceed 600mm in height. 7. The highest centre portion of the bridge should be flat and be designed to support a level loading plate as the test load will be applied at the center of the top side of the bridge.

Test Procedure:

1. Bridges will be inspected at registration. 2. The winning bridge is the bridge that holds the largest load at failure. 3. All bridges will be destroyed during testing.

If you have any questions, please contact: David Sadler Communication & Marketing Manager 604-668-6000 ext. 3399 [email protected]

#EdWeekSD38 @RichmondSD38 /RichmondSD38 website: edweek.sd38.bc.ca #EdWeekSD38 @RichmondSD38 /RichmondSD38 website: edweek.sd38.bc.ca EDUCATION WEEK POPSICLE BRIDGE COMPETITION MARCH 5, 1-3 pm

BRIDGE BUILDING ADVICE

• Give yourself plenty of time and don’t wait until the last minute to build your bridge.

• The glue will need at least 24 hours to dry and will get stronger if allowed to dry for two days or more.

• Wood joints are always stronger if you clamp them tight while the glue dries - try using big paper clips to clamp the sticks together (clamps will be removed before testing).

• Look around at real bridges. A Popsicle stick bridge is of course much smaller, but the same principles apply (the important part is not the deck, but the steel or concrete structure that supports it). Look particularly at railway truss bridges, but also at bridges like the , the , and the Queensborough Bridge. The and are not good examples to follow because they rely on cables.

• Research the Internet and your local library for excellent bridge reference information to help your design.

• Your bridge needs to have a solid, stiff shape. Notice how a popsicle stick is much stiffer and stronger when on its edge. A bunch of sticks glued together flat, like a raft, has very little strength and will sag during testing.

• The strongest structural shape is a triangle.

• A bridge that is symmetrical is less likely to twist when loaded and hence will probably carry more load.

• If you aren’t sure if your bridge will be stable, test it yourself - span it across two tables set about 400 mm apart, and press down on the top of the bridge in the middle of the span. Just be careful not to break your untested creation!

If you have any questions, please contact: David Sadler Communication & Marketing Manager 604-668-6000 ext. 3399 [email protected]

#EdWeekSD38 @RichmondSD38 /RichmondSD38 website: edweek.sd38.bc.ca EDUCATION WEEK POPSICLE BRIDGE COMPETITION MARCH 5, 1-3 pm

REGISTRATION FORM:

Please email the completed form to David Sadler at [email protected] with the subject line, “Popsicle Bridge Registration”. Please type the information in the required fields.

TEAM NAME:

Teacher/Guardian: (required if elementary) Contact Email: School: Grade: Shirt Size: Small 1 2 3 4 5 Medium 1 2 3 4 5 Large 1 2 3 4 5 Extra Large 1 2 3 4 5 Contestant Name(s):

#EdWeekSD38 @RichmondSD38 /RichmondSD38 website: edweek.sd38.bc.ca