Design Challenge: Popsicle Stick Bridge

Project Explanation: The challenge given was to create a bridge that would hold the maximum amount of weight. We were only given Popsicle sticks and white glue.

Technological Concepts: In this project, we had obviously had to learn about bridges. Concepts that were covered in research about bridges include shape of bridges and cables. The shape has to do with holding weight because the bridge has to have supports and cannot be too flimsy. One shape that we found helpful to use was something called a truss, which is a criss-cross pattern of laying the supports. It helps since it spreads the force of the weight. Cables are also a big part of bridges. Cable hold up the bridge with tension and take the force of the weight of the bridge and hold it at the end.

Learning Goals: Some things that we were trying to explore was how different shapes of metal bridges can be recreated. Also, we experimented with combining different concepts with different bridges. It was important in the challenge to learn time management since we were constructing two things at once.

Design Brief: The main focus for the bridge was the truss idea with criss-crosses of the Popsicle sticks. We built the side and top in that way. The bottom was just straight sticks because we felt since the weights were going on top, the top should be well constructed and the bottom didn't need to be as strong. We made the frame for the bottom longer than the truss goes on the side so the bridge has an easier time spanning the 16 inches but the truss is still focused on the part that will hold most the weight.

side/ top of the bridge

through the bridge

Positive Feedback: The bridge looked like what we wanted it to look. Also, it met all the goals we set in the beginning of the process.The efficiency of the bridge was 12,000% as well so that was good. Another thing that was good was it the sides were put together well and didn't break when the bridge snapped. The design of the bridge was a good design as well.

Redesign Paragraph: If we could do it again, the thing I would want to change the most is construction quality. The bridge was fairly sturdy but I would want to make sure it lines up better and it more exactly symmetrical. Also, the sides were a bit crooked and so I would want to fix that because that was one of the largest downfalls of the bridge. I might change the design a bit to make wider trusses because the bridge that held the most weight so far had a larger angle for the truss.

Technological Resources: The project was specific in having only 120 Popsicle sticks and white glue. A lot of the information we used to design the bridge came from websites provided for us in the packet. Time was not an issue for us since we had ample days in class to work on the project. My partner and I were the people involved with brainstorming and building of the bridge. The project didn't cost anything since the materials were provided for us.

Biggest Challenge: The biggest challenge we had is getting the Popsicle sticks to dry in a straight line. It was hard because it we tried to put clips on, normally everything started to fall apart, but leaving the frame out to dry normally shifted the sticks if they were just moved a little bit. We just left the sticks on the table for most the hour and then we moved the structure to the locker when it was mostly dry. We only did a little bit of work on the bridge each day as well so the glue would dry faster and we wouldn't have to worry about it getting crooked overnight.

What I learned: This project taught me how to use my time wisely. While the bridge was drying we would always just move onto the other half of the project discussed in the next post. Also, splitting resources such as working on separate parts to get through the paper work quicker. This part taught me how to share information, as well, since we had to explain certain parts of the components to each other after filling in the packets. Planning was a big part of the project that helped me. We gathered materials first and then started laying everything out and cutting things to size so on the final days of working, we just had to glue things together which was fast and simple.