Spaghetti+Bridges


 * Pasta Bridge Challenge **

**Objective: ** To design and build the lightest bridge capable of supporting the heaviest load when weight is placed on a given span, using specified materials and guidelines. **Means ****: ** A student will have to determine how to build a bridge using spaghetti. This event allows students a chance to behave as real world scientists and engineers when faced with a problem that has to be solved. Each student will essentially follow scientific method when seeking the answer to the question of "How can I build the most efficient bridge?" . **Rules: **  1. Students will participate as individuals. 2. Materials:
 * Students purchase their own materials.
 * Each bridge must be made entirely of store-bought spaghetti.
 * Elmer's white glue or a glue gun may be used to fasten the pieces of pasta together. Glue guns should be used with parent assistance.
 * You may glue 2 strands of spaghetti together to form a single piece, but no more than two strands. This is referred to as double bonding.
 * No alterations of the spaghetti are allowed, i.e. cooking, painting, filling with glue or any other materials.
 * You may cut, bend, or break the spaghetti.
 * No materials other than the ones listed may be used.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;"> 3. Structure
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;">The bridge is to be constructed so that the deck and deck framework are supported by a vertical structure at each end.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;">The roadbed framework and vertical supports will form a clear opening under the bridge. The opening must be at least 6 inches wide, and at least 3 inches high.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;">The roadbed must be at least 4 inches wide; flat and level enough to lay a 4-inch by 6-inch block on it at any point; and no part of the bridge structure can be above the roadbed.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;">The bridge height (from base to roadbed surface) must be at least 3.5 inches but no more than 8 inches.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;">The bridge length must be at least 7 inches but no more than 12 inches.
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;">The total weight of the completed bridge may not exceed 1 pound.

**<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Competition: **

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;">2. For load-bearing strength testing, weights will be added into a continuous fashion into a container that spans the center of the bridge's roadbed until the bridge fails. Failure is defined as the inability of the bridge to carry any additional load without breakage, or with any part of the bridge displaying significant movement or signs of bridge instability. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;">3. The final Official Load is the maximum load the the bridge withstood prior to destruction. This will be recorded for use in the scoring of the strength competition.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;">**Diagram:**

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: left;">**Scoring of the Competition:**There will be three levels of competition, Grades K, 1, and 2; Grades 3 and 4; and Grades 5 and 6. One bridge at each level will be awarded a prize for bearing the greatest weight.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: left;">**Pasta Bridge Challenge Participation Form:** <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: left;">Below is a link to download a Pasta Bridge Challenge Participation Form. If your child wishes to participate in the challenge, please fill in the form and return it to the school by Friday, March 2, 2012.