Toothpick+Bridge+Design

 In this activity, students will engage in the construction of a bridge with limited construction materials and a set of design requirements. The object is to apply the previously covered concepts of force and torque to a new and unfamiliar situation. Students will have the West Point Bridge Designer software available to test and sample various design elements. 
 * **2014-2015 design specifications**
 * Materials: Toothpicks, Elmers Glue
 * Bridge must be 40 cm long, with an allowed range of error of +/- 1 cm
 * No suspension or tension-line style bridges
 * Glue may only be applied to the truss joint locations ||

Bridges will be ranked based upon their overall efficiency. Bridges will be judged using the following formula:  Bridge efficiency = Supported Weight / Bridge Weight   The results of the competition will be presented on the graph to the right. Good luck!