2017 Spaghetti Bridge Competition

Bruce Students Successful at the 2017 Spaghetti Bridge Competition

 

Each year the Engineers and Geoscientists of Manitoba hold a spaghetti bridge competition. The goal is simple: build the strongest structure from 350 grams of spaghetti and glue. With this in mind, the grade 7 science students explored the Forces & Structures unit with pasta and wood glue in Mrs. Bouchard’s and Mr. Fisher-Smith’s classes. At the end of the unit, the entire grade 7 class entered their structures in competition at Kildonan Place on Thursday, March 9. 

 

At the mall, the students waited patiently as volunteers from the Engineers and Geoscientists measured each group’s bridge: did the students meet the required parameters of length, height, and mass? After completing registration, the engineers carefully placed each team’s structure in the hydraulic press, affectionately known as the “Dream Crusher”. In seconds, the bridges were stressed to the max and students eagerly recorded the maximum mass held by their bridges while the judges gave some advice on the construction. Every kilogram supported by bridges was tallied by the organizers who later used this total to make a donation to Winnipeg Harvest!

 

After three days of competition among students from across the province, Bruce students did extremely well. The team of Igor, Steven, and Korbin won the grade 7 level and received certificates and $100.

 

In addition to the grade 7 team, many grade 8 students participated in the contest as well, entering their structures on Saturday, March 11. The team of Katryna and Miree won the grade 8 level and also received certificates and $100. In addition, everyone who participated in the spaghetti bridge building competition will be celebrating with a pizza party sponsored by the Engineers and Geoscientists of Manitoba.

 

Congratulations Bruce students!

 

 

Submitted: Mr. Fisher-Smith, Bruce Middle School.