The popsicle stick bridge is a classic science demonstration and competition. I have always wanted to build a model suspension bridge, and finally i have finished one. Cecilia students building a bridge from popsicle sticks. Then glue sticks sidebyside to make the bridge s deck, which will sit flat between your 2 pairs of trusses. Popsicle stick bridge pictures and plans a versatile and scaleable. The bridge deck must be covered in construction paper to allow a. Here is what one of hundreds of people who have bought my plans said. Truss bridges bridges that are a combination of triangles combine strengthening. Popsicle stick bridge is a simple bridge structure made of wooden popsicle sticks. These bridge kits are complete as listed, with all required hardware, ready to just bolt together. Feel free to print the plans below if needed for a better look. The feeling of looking down on a river or over the edge of a highway overpass can be exciting.
Construction of popsicle stick bridge can be great exercise for testing structurally stable bridge. Maximum of 100 popsicle sticks allowed and only white glue. For additional math, have her estimate how much weight her bridge will. It is the same with popsicle sticks, balsa and basswood, or. When you test the load limit of your bridge, catastrophic failure is unlikely. Bridges across the globe make up some of the most beautiful landmarks on this earth. Building a bridge made out of popsicle sticks can be a bit of fun. Ultimate bridge builder kit popsicle stick bridge schematic page 3 5 bridge top. Popsicle stick truss bridge blueprints model bridge. Leaving room for string to be used as an anchor, loop string around the end of a popsicle stick.
Popsicle stick bridge 3d cad model library grabcad. We were given specific specifications that we needed to follow, or else or. Test the bridges effectiveness by placing free weights on top of the bridge while the bridge is stretched between two surfaces. The complete bridge is to contain a maximum of 100 popsicle sticks joined together with all purpose, nontoxic. Free woodworking plans and projects instructions for building your own garden bridge. Popsicle stick bridge reflection by erfan sheikh on prezi. Popsicle stick bridge popsicle stick bridges, bridge. While there are many types of bridge designs to choose from, a truss bridge is a good one to begin with. Obtain 100 popsicle sticks, 5 sheets of paper and a roll of masking tape. Mar 19, 2014 popsicle stick suspension bridge source popsicle stick bridge for kid source simple suspension popsicle bridge source popsicle stick bridge source popsicle stick. So, if you were the first person to pick up your kit, your bridge will be the first one tested. How to build over a water feature in your backyard garden.
Instructions for making a bridge with popsicle sticks our. In modern times, engineers and architects work to create elegant bridges that combine beauty with utility. Bridges must have a span of at least 14 inches and be able to hold a five pound weight younger students or a twenty pound weight older students. Edsgn100 truss bridge design final design report executive summary we were approached by a company to design a bridge that was strong, aesthetically pleasing, and economically efficient. Popsicle stick truss bridge blueprints model bridge design. Oct 05, 2016 here is the story of the prairie popsicle stick bridge told in video format. Using popsicle sticks and glue, groups must work together to design and build a bridge that can support weight and is aesthetically pleasing. For an awesome class at olin called mech solids intro to mechanical solids and structures we designed and built a bridge out of popsicle sticks, then put it through catastrophic load failure our teacher put his weight on it. I think that the bridge project was a really good experience, since it was my second time building a bridge out of wood and glue. It had restrictions on height, width, and a clearance through the middle of the bridge.
How to make a strong bridge out of popsicle sticks sciencing. Popsicle stick bridge pictures and plans a versatile and. It was for a presentation i gave for some middle school students. Also, plans for bridges and walkways you can buy, along with other related building information. The bridge must be able to span 500 mm, be more than 100 mm wide but less than 200 mm wide, less than 200 mm high, and protrude no more than 50 mm below the bottom of the bridge deck. Bridges are amazing structures that allow people to get from one place to the. As a student engineer, your goal is to build a sturdy popsicle stick bridge using the lowest amount of sticks possible. How to build a strong popsicle stick bridge teach beside me. The point of this exercise is to demonstrate distribution of force, capacity, resilience, strength and basic principles of engineering. Ultimate bridge builder kit popsicle stick bridge schematic. All you need to make this popsicle stick bridge is a good strong glue and some popsicle sticks.
How to build balsa wood bridge building projects pdf download blueprints fine woodworkingcomplan store ap physics project 20 video. The bridge will be loaded midspan like vitamin a point warhead and theres no specify on the routine of lollipop sticks just theres a 1 kilo utmost weight. What i learned bridge reflection conclusion in conclusion we think our bridges came out the way we wanted them to be but still there is always room for improvement and making it looks more aesthetically pleasing if we were to do it again. It will glue almost anything instantly, including fabric great for zany fashions or costumes. The key to building a really strong popsicle stick bridge is understanding. They have supports on each end and the center weight of the bridge is supported by both ends of. She talks about the importance of having a good base to a bridge, and how our bridge had a good base. Every year many students worldwide build bridges made soley from popsicle sticks and glue, to see which designs can hold the most weight. 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. Objective to build the bridge within our specifications that has the highest payload to weight ratio. Here is the story of the prairie popsicle stick bridge told in video format. Feb 10, 2020 to build a bridge with popsicle sticks, first glue some sticks endtoend to make 4 trusses, which are beams that run the length of your bridge. Building a bridge with popsicle sticks is a craft that allows you to make a similar effort on a much smaller scale. Review the bridge construction tips and look for ways to improve your bridge.
Building a bridge out of popsicle sticks or toothpicks is a common project for a beginning physics class. But cassandra was a really good glueer, robert says. How to build a bridge with popsicle sticks with pictures. As far as i know, this is the longest working popsicle stick bridge that a person can walk across. What could 4000 check out canadas strongest popsicle stick bridge on indiegogo. Beam bridges are horizontal and are supported at the end of each side. Weight will be added to the middle of the bridge, make sure you have a place that can hold the washers. A simple beginnergrade popsicle stick bridge can be created with as little as seven sticks, while more elaborate models can use hundreds of them.
The bridge must be constructed of approved materials. Find popsicle stick bridges lesson plans and teaching resources. Glue sticks for a hot glue gun numbers of sticks vary depending on the size of glue gun that will be used. All components are cut, partially assembled, glued and predrilled for easy assembly. Make copies of the build a bridge project pdf for each of the students. Place a popsicle stick on a hard, flat surface such as a table or countertop. Only wooden popsicle sticks 5 34 x 34 x 116 and waterbased glue such as elmers white or yellow may be used to make. I think i understand the physics behind it better, because i was more comfortable with the design and building process. This popsicle bridge lesson plan is suitable for 2nd 12th grade. Students will be encouraged to use the fewest number of popsicle sticks possible to achieve their goal give them a limit remember, bridges need to also be inexpensive. The secret ingredient for cool kids projects is a lowtemp glue gun. Test the bridges effectiveness by placing free weights on top of the. As soon as the first glue joint pops, repair it and think how you can reinforce that weak point.
Construct a suspension bridge according to criteria on pdf to model to students at the beginning of the lesson. Our earliest ancestors used vines or logs to construct rudimentary bridges that spanned creeks or streams. Bridge rules maximum allowable bridge weight 12 oz 340 grams. Just try and build a bridge on your own and you will realize how difficult it can be. The secret to its strength is all in the triangular design. We were to come up with a prototype using wood craft sticks and white elmers glue. Then glue sticks sidebyside to make the bridges deck, which will sit flat between your 2 pairs of trusses. Students are encouraged to be frugal, and use the fewest number of popsicle sticks while still achieving their goals. The lesson begins by learners reading about different features of bridge architecture, followed by design and building of the bridge, and finally, each learner answers reflection questions.
The largest popsicle bridge was built back in 2008 in my dorm room at prairie bible college. Popsicle stick trusses being built for a truss bridge. Popsicle bridge lesson plan for 2nd 12th grade lesson. Properly assembled, the bridges in the above plans can carry 1,000 times their own weight but they are not the ultimate design.
How to build a popsicle stick bridge a popsicle stick bridge project is perfect for acquainting your kids with the basic physical forces like tension and compression while building mini replicas of the ever useful structures of our daily commute. Each bridge will be tested and scored on effectiveness, design, creativity, and aesthetics how it looks. Popsicle bridge lesson plan for 2nd 12th grade lesson planet. Warren truss popsicle stick bridge science buddies. Yes, our popsicle bridge is messy and crooked, but my kids had a blast making it and it is strong. The trusses are the four beams that will run the length of the top and bottom of your bridge. This type of bridge rests its weight on top of beams that push straight down on both ends of the. This bridge, 100 popsicle sticks over a 2 feet span. With the two sides of the bridge parallel to each other and perpendicular to the floor see figure 5 in the project idea, put the cross pieces on the top of the bridge. Popsicle stick bridge files 3d cad model library grabcad. Have her glue popsicle sticks across the bottom of two bridge sides, and over the tops of bridge sides. This project will require your group to preplan, create a design, build, and present your finished bridge to the class. Design a suspension bridge on chart paper according to criteria on pdf for students to understand the expectations of the project. Carrin hahn carrin taught 3rd grade for ten years, worked as a learning specialist with k5 students, and has a masters degree in elementary education.
They have supports on each end and the center weight of the bridge is supported by both ends of abutments. Illustrated, step by step guide on how to design and build model bridges. Building a bridge out of popsicle sticks is a great way to learn engineering and architectural principals. Instructions for making a bridge with popsicle sticks. If you are building it for your kid or for yourself, it is truly a fun way of spending quality time crafting a miniature bridge. Glue three more full sticks on top to create three layers with overlapping joints.
Popsicle stick bridge design and construction idaho state university. Flip the bridge over so its top is laying on the floor, and add cross pieces tomthe bottom of the bridge, as indicated by the white placeholders. How to build a popsicle stick bridge science project ideas. The bridge must also be free from support by 30 mm on each side.
Our final failure was due to a construction failure where glue gorilla glue wicked down one of the strings this led to uneven stretching and a force imbalance. With the easy models and tips to guide you, you are all geared up to participate in bridge constructing activities. Popsicle stick bridge instructions and tips for popsicle. Glue the halves to each end of the 3 sticks placed end to end and glue two popsicle sticks in the middle. Brainstorm a plan and sketch a blueprint on this page dont forget that the bridge must span a 40 cm gap. Popsicle stick suspension bridge source popsicle stick bridge for kid source simple suspension popsicle bridge source popsicle stick bridge source popsicle stick bridge craft source popsicle stick bridge art source strong popsicle stick bridge source bridge building source chaotianmen bridge model source minamikawa bridge model source bridge. Popsicle stick bridge popsicle stick bridges, bridge design. Bridges will be compared on a strength to weight ratio. The parts are few and easy to duplicate, so you can use your time more efficiently evaluating different configurations. Properly assembled, the bridges in the above plans can carry 1,000 times their own weight but.
Every year many students worldwide build bridges made. Test this theory by making your very own bridge using popsicle sticks, glue, and tape. Make the deck 1 popsicle stick wide so it stretches the entire distance of your top length. Popsicle stick simple suspension bridge cut a piece of string three times the length of the bridge you want to build. However, it would be quite impossible to bring them to the kitchen table. This project will require your group to preplan, create a design. It was an annual popsicle bridge competition at university of alberta, last year he broke the highest record in all 25 competitions with 746 lbs, and then he crushed it with 970 this year. Ultimate bridge builder kit popsicle stick bridge schematic page 1. Note the clever use of strings in the suspension bridge idea. She can also cut construction paper into rectangular bridge roads to glue or tape onto bridge decks.
Now that a plan has been laid out, its time to get building. Feb 10, 2018 visualization of a design for a school project. Car must be able to traverse the bridge on a construction. Popsicle stick truss bridge instructions and photos. Put all the clamps on one side so you can press it flat against the table. If you know of a longer bridge that does the same, please let me know. Make 2 bottom rails that have 5 sticks on one side and 4 on the other. Popsicle stick bridge rules carnegie mellon school of. Ultimate bridge builder kit popsicle stick bridge schematic page 4 6 bridge base. The object of the contention is to build a bridge out of popsicle sticks and elmers yellow woodwind glue. The bridge has to span a 50cm gap, have an 8cm smooth deck, and be built with less than 250 popsicle sticks. The following is a list of materials needed to create the bridge popsicle sticks approximately 160 sticks. To build a bridge with popsicle sticks, first glue some sticks endtoend to make 4 trusses, which are beams that run the length of your bridge.
Put a small drop of glue between each joint, and clamp each joint with a binder clip. Overall, what did you think about the popsicle stick bridge project. When the glue is dry, glue sticks in a w pattern between each pair of trusses for support. For an awesome class at olin called mech solids intro to mechanical solids and structures we designed and built a bridge out of popsicle sticks, then put it through catastrophic load failure our teacher put. It was not something i put a tremendous amount of effort into, just a quick and dirty d. Popsicle stick models pdf plans for a 36cm or 44cm, page 2 and a 41cm or 50cm rainbow bridge.
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