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Popsicle-stick bridge holds 353 pounds Jeanne Gagnon Northern News Services Published Monday, April 11, 2011
The bridge, which was made out of about 120 Popsicle sticks and weighed less than half a pound, earned first place in the Grades 9 to 12 division at the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists (NAPEG) bridge building competition in February.
Earl Crowther, a high school math/science teacher, said he and five students - Ruby Paniaq, Eva Qattalik, Lutaya Uttak, Simon Tapardjuk and Marcus Angutiqiuaq - came up with a light but strong bridge design that met the contest specifications. The bridge had to be 5 to 14 cm wide, 60 to 65 cm long, no higher than 4 cm, with a maximum weight of 600 grams. The sole building materials allowed were Popsicle sticks and white glue. "The lighter the bridge, the better, so we managed to get ours down at 225 grams," he said, adding that's about 120 Popsicle sticks. This is the second year in a row the school finished first in that category. "From the bridge structure, and the fact that they took their time and they did a really good job putting it together, I thought they were going to do quite well. It didn't surprise me they did win," said Crowther, who has been involved with the competition for about 10 years. "By keeping it small, using the triangle concept and keeping the weight down, they did a super, super job." Paniaq said she was surprised they won. "We were just trying our best," she said. "We were just wanting to try it." She added she enjoyed the experience, and learned both how to build a sturdy bridge and work as part of a team.
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