High School • "Popsicle Stick Bridge Breaks Record" • February 19, 2010

The Popsicle Stick Bridge Contest has become a popular annual Physics event here at Emerson Honors High School in Orange.  It has sparked friendly competition between High School Physics students, and is very entertaining to watch.  Results have grown more impressive from year to year.

 

The goal of the contest is to build the strongest possible bridge using only one pound of white wood Popsicle sticks and Elmer's school glue.  The bridges must span a length of two feet and allow for a 3x5 inch car to pass through without stopping.  Bridges are normally built two days in advance to allow glue to cure and then tested to the point of breaking on the day of the contest.

 

Our school record prior to this year’s contest had been 240 pounds.  This year we had three bridges break that record, with two bridges being able to withstand 305 pounds each.  That is a one-pound bridge holding up 305 pounds!  The winners this year were Sean Hsu, Larry Wang, Jae Han Chun, Ryan Hwang, Darrek Phan and Jae Young Kang.