Physics and Popsicle sticks: Bridge building competition gets heavy

By Sarah de Crescenzo Daily Republic May 16, 2010 22:33

FAIRFIELD - High school physics students put their knowledge to the test on Saturday at the Carpenters Training Center in a bridge building competition.Hosted by the Solano County Office of Education, teams from Vacaville, Vanden, Will C. Wood, Vallejo and Benicia high schools brought in their bridges to see how much weight they could hold before breaking.

A Vacaville High School team set the new record for the annual competition, holding 1,410 pounds before giving way.One of nine teams fielded by Will C. Wood High School won first place -- which factored in an oral presentation, written report and technical drawing, in addition to how much weight the bridge could hold.'It's a friendly competition,' Lloyd Chan, AP Physics teacher at Will C. Wood, said.Chan said parents and teachers provided a receptive audience for the students as they showed off their work.The bridges, built out of glue and Popsicle sticks, were constructed mainly at the students' homes over the past weeks to allow for drying time.

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