Popsicle Bridge Competition

10th annual 4th Grade popsicle stick bridge event

#ASCEUpstateBridge18

See 2018 Photo Gallery HERE

Date:          February 24, 2018
Location:   TD Convention Center - Conference Hall
   1 Exposition Drive, Greenville, SC
Time:          9AM - 12PM

Thank you to all of the students, teachers, parents and family members that joined us for the Bridge Event! Also a big thank you to our sponsors and volunteers. Without them this event could not be possible.

Congratulations to the 2018 winners of the four judging categories as listed below. We hope all of the amazing 4th graders were able to learn from and enjoy their experience with this Challenge activity.

BEST ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

MAULDIN – GIRL POWER INC.
BLYTHE – THE HURRICANE
MONARCH – UPSIDE DOWN CHEF HAT

MOST ORIGINAL DESIGN

AUGUSTA CIRCLE – THE SOUTH CAROLINIANS
FOUNTAIN INN – THE DREAM TEAMS
OAKVIEW – THE PLATINUM BRIDGE

BEST CRAFTSMANSHIP

TAYLORS – ROARING TOPCATS
FOUNTAIN INN – THE DREAM TEAM
OAKVIEW – THE PLATINUM BRIDGE

BEST STRUCTURAL DESIGN

BROOK GLEN – GOLDEN NUGGETS
BELLS CROSSING – BRIDGE DREAMERS

3. MONARCH – THE VIKINGS

Background
The ASCE SC Upstate Branch has been hosting the Popsicle Bridge Competition since 2009. The event was started by the Upstate Branch members and the Greenville County Challenge Program teachers. The Challenge program includes students that achieve high scores on academic testing, and this competition was created to help them learn more about math, science, and engineering in a fun and practical way. The students spend approximately 3 months in the classroom learning about bridge design and the challenges of creating a strong, yet lightweight bridge which is essential in today’s real world scenarios of cost efficient design. The 4th grade students construct their bridges with Popsicle sticks and white craft glue and must adhere to certain constraints regarding height, length and width. The bridges are then brought to the competition for final weigh-in and testing as part of the competition.

Typical Agenda:
7:45am – Volunteer arrival and registration
8:00am – Final setup and preparation
9:00am – Testing Begins
11:30am – Approximate Testing Completion
12:00pm – Approximate Awards Presentation

Bridges are judged by a panel of judges and winners are chosen for the following categories:

1.    Best Architectural Design
2.    Most Original Design
3.    Best Craftsmanship
4.    Best Structural

The “Best Structural” category is based on load testing the bridges to failure while taking into consideration the weight of the bridge.

The 2017 event tested over 350 bridges from more than 1,100 students.

Volunteer Opportunity
Many volunteers are needed in order for our event to be successful each year. Anyone interested in volunteering on event day or the afternoon before, please contact Chrissy Gernon. We need event greeters, raffle ticket sellers, bridge testers, and other volunteers to help make this event a success. We strongly encourage engineering students and professionals to volunteer, however volunteers do not need to be ASCE members or engineers to help out. Volunteers will receive event t-shirts, breakfast and lunch following the event.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY
The ASCE SC Upstate Branch is also inviting companies to register as a sponsor for the Annual Popsicle Stick Bridge Event. The company name / logo will appear on signage in exhibit areas, volunteer t-shirts, event flyers, and announced during the ASCE Upstate Branch Meetings. Sponsorship forms can be requested via email or below the current sponsor listing to the right. Once the completed registration form is received, the contact for the sponsorship will receive additional instructions.

Things to Keep in Mind at the Event:

Testing will begin at 9:00 AM and will continue until all bridges have been tested. Please arrive early in order to locate your school testing station.
Bridges are NOT tested in alphabetical order by school. If possible, a listing of schools and testing locations will be sent out before the event.
Some seating will be available along the perimeter of the event (testing is not viewable from seated areas).
Parents attending with students must supervise them at all times.
Please allow students to stand at the front of the line in order to watch the testing of their school’s bridges.
Please do NOT touch any bridges prior to testing.
The acoustics are not perfect for this type of event, so please listen carefully. Signs will be used as available to help alleviate some sound issues.
Winning teams will be announced as quickly as possible following the completion of all testing.

**All “workers” at the event are volunteers. If there are any questions or concerns about the testing or rules, please direct them to teachers or the event coordinators.

Thanks to all who came out and participated on February 25, 2017! We tested 354 bridges from 50 schools made by over 1,100 students. The students did an amazing job constructing their bridges!!

The 2017 winning bridge teams are below.

Most Original Design
1 - Fantastic Five - Buena Vista Elementary
2 - The Great Fire - Tigerville Elementary
3 - The Original Crafters - Bell's Crossing Elementary

Best Craftsmanship
1 - G.G.N.J. Bridge Company - Oakview Elementary
2 - Superb Structures - Buena Vista Elementary
3 - L.A.M.B. Bridge Co. - Oakview Elementary

Best Architectural
1 - The Miller Bridge - Mountainview Elementary
2 - Bridge Alli - Tigerville Elementary
3 - Elite Champions - Buena Vista Elementary

Best Structural
1 - The Active Alpacas - Bell's Crossing Elementary
2 - Bridge Bandits - Bell's Crossing Elementary
3 - Moon Bridge - Monarch Elementary

Thanks to all who came out and participated on February 27, 2016! We tested 350 bridges from 50 schools made by over 1,000 students.

The 2016 winning bridge teams are below.

Most Original
1 - Bridge ER - Welcome Elementary
2 - Queen Kats Inc. - Mauldin Elementary
3 - The Excellent Pocca-Dotted Elephants - Stone Academy

Best Craftsmanship
1 - All Around Triangle - Monarch Elementary
2 - SMES Bridges Inc. - Slate Marrieta Elementary
3 - Heart Breakers - Summit Drive Elementary

Best Architectural
1 - Fantastics - Hollis Academy
2 - Building Eagles - Grove Elementary
3 - Nike Speed Demons - Stone Academy

Best Structural
1 - Sunshine Skyway Bridge - Westcliffe Elementary
2 - Chesapeake Bay Bridge - Westcliffe Elementary
3 - Brooklyn Bridge DIJS - Brook Glenn Elementary