Bridges 2010
What makes a bridge strong? MPA grade 12 physics students look for the answer in 15 basswood sticks and a bottle of glue.
Each team of two is given these tools, instructions about basic bridge design, some design parameters, and four weeks to design and construct a bridge. Students figure out how the forces will be distributed throughout their bridges in order to make them strong. The students work to make the bridges pretty and elegant, and they give their structures names.
Each bridge is judged on its artistic merit. Then, the bridges are tested to see which can support the most weight. The third quarter notables are:
Highest Total Score: Rainbow Road - Nic Murphy and Pete Simpson
Best Looking: Rainbow Road
Most Realistic: You Shall Not Pass! - Joe Jacobs and Sasha Potter
Best Craftsmanship: Criss-Cross Applesauce - Maggie Freier and Kay Short
Most Unique/Most Creative: Ye Olde New and (Hopefully) Improved London Bridge - Brianna Powers and Erin Powers
Best Name: Valentine's Day: Two Dudes, One Bridge - Jake Giesler and Nathan Thompson
Strongest: Tie between Our Trussty Span-Desk (Eric Baudry and Sarah Wineman), and Sassy Princess (Emily Berthiaume)
The fourth quarter notables are:
Best Looking: Titanic – God himself could not break this bridge – Abby Guthmann and Jenn Heegaard
Most Realistic: The North Pole – Austin Nash
Best Craftsmanship - Titanic – God himself could not break this bridge – Abby Guthmann and Jenn Heegaard
Most Unique/Most Creative: Titanic – God himself could not break this bridge – Abby Guthmann and Jenn Heegaard
Best Name: Xtreme X-ing – Jack Amaral and Sarah Casey
Strongest: The North Pole – Austin Nash
