November Invention Convention: Bridges

What great fun! We gave each child/team 100 popsicle sticks and glue and had them build bridges! Who would have ever thought a bridge made of popsicle sticks would hold the amount of weight that they did!

1 pound- William
2 and 1/2 pounds - Cade
3 pounds- Sophia and Sarah
7 and 1/2 pounds - Shelby and Joseph
10 pounds- Grant and Jacob
15 pounds- Kyle
27 and 1/2 pounds- Samuel
31 pounds- Michael
37 and 1/2 pounds - Bret
71 pounds - my bridge! (go me!)
120 plus pounds - Jessica and Brenda

Technically the WINNING bridge didn't really follow the directions (they didn't build a suspension bridge) but their design was innovative and impressive! I would love to see how the kids would modify their bridges if we tried the challenge again. 3 participants didn't finish their bridges, all 3 of which probably would have held even more weight than the ones we tested as they were well researched and planned out!


















Here is the email I sent to the group prior to the event:

Please RSVP to let us know if you will be joining us! Also does anyone have any idea for testing how much weight each bridge will hold? I am still on lifting restrictions post surgery (I am only allowed to lift 10 lbs) and haven't really given it much thought!

What: Invention Convention Bridges
When: Friday, November 5, 2010 10 AM to 12 PM
Where: Symmes Township Library

Who: Homeschoolers of all ages. Children 12 and under will be expected to have a parent/responsible adult on premises with them during activities, Teens 13 and up may be dropped off.
RSVP: Laura

What to bring: 100 popsicle/craft sticks per child (or team if you children wish to work in teams), glue (if you don't want to use hot glue guns/glue sticks). The only things an individual/team can use to build their bridge is popsicle sticks and glue. Bridges must be assembled at the event!

What will be provided: Glue guns with glue sticks

Popsicle Stick Bridges:

http://www.garrettsbridges.com/category/photos/popsicle-bridges if you go to the bottom, there is an example of a short pratt truss bridge that only used 46 popsicle sticks and held 73 lb before it broke....I wouldn't have thought a bridge that small would hold that much! The first link (top of page) shows a bridge made with less than 100 sticks that held 140 lb. Pretty cool!

Fun site with tons of info:

http://www.bridgesite.com/funand.htm

And here is a slideshow of my kids bridges: