For their Tech class, Nolan and his partner had to design and construct a bridge that balances efficiency and strength. They could use a maximum number of 200 popsicle sticks. Efficiency would be measured by the amount of material used by weight, and strength by the weight that the bridge can carry for 20 seconds.
Final result: 139 sticks used, 110 lbs. Best bridge in the class for both efficiency and strength.
Lessons Learned
Do: use triangles for strength, use the edges of the popsicle sticks rather than the flat surfaces wherever possible, use glue sparingly for best results.
Don’t: Hot glue doesn’t work very well. Don’t step on your bridge, not even once. Definitely not twice!
Impressive bridge, well explained.
Would it be stronger if you could pin the sticks together, so they pivot, instead of wood glue? 0=0. i.e. drill holes attach with nut and bolt from meccano set?
We could, but we had to use wood glue for this one