Bridge Event 

SAVE THE DATE!!

14TH ANNUAL 4TH GRADE POPSICLE STICK BRIDGE EVENT

​Date:         Saturday March 9th

Location:   *Greenville Convention Center (Formerly TD Convention  Center)

                    Conference Hall

                   1 Exposition Drive, Greenville, SC 29607

Time:          To Be Announced Based on School Location

Visit ASCE Website:    http://www.asceupstate.com/popsicle-bridge-event.html 

#ASCEUPSTATEBRIDGE2024 

Background

The ASCE SC Upstate Branch has been hosting the Popsicle Bridge Competition since 2009. The event was started by the Upstate Branch members and the Greenville County Challenge Program teachers.  The Challenge program includes students that achieve high scores on academic testing, and this competition was created to help them learn more about math, science, and engineering in a fun and practical way.  The students spend approximately 3 months in the classroom learning about bridge design and the challenges of creating a strong, yet lightweight bridge which is essential in today’s real world scenarios of cost efficient design.  The 4th grade students construct their bridges with Popsicle sticks and white craft glue and must adhere to certain constraints regarding height, length and width.  The bridges are then brought to the competition for final weigh-in and testing as part of the competition.

Typical Agenda ***** Pending Covid Restrictions *****

7:45am – Volunteer arrival and registration

8:00am – Final setup and preparation

9:00am – Testing Begins

11:30am – Approximate Testing Completion

12:00pm – Approximate Awards Presentation

Bridges are judged by a panel of judges and winners are chosen for the following categories:

1.    Best Architectural Design

2.    Most Original Design

3.    Best Craftsmanship

4.    Best Structural

The “Best Structural” category is based on load testing the bridges to failure while taking into consideration the weight of the bridge.

The 2019 event tested over 350 bridges from more than 1,200 students.   

Volunteer Opportunity

Many volunteers are needed in order for our event to be successful each year.  Anyone interested in volunteering on event day or the afternoon before, please contact Chrissy Gernon or sign up here.  We need event greeters, bridge testers, station runners, and other volunteers to help make this event a success.  We strongly encourage engineering students and professionals to volunteer, however volunteers do not need to be ASCE members or engineers to help out.  Volunteers will receive event t-shirts, breakfast and lunch following the event. 

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY 

The ASCE SC Upstate Branch is also inviting companies to register as a sponsor for the Annual Popsicle Stick Bridge Event. The company name / logo will appear on signage in exhibit areas, volunteer t-shirts, event flyers, and be announced during the ASCE Upstate Branch Meetings.  Sponsorships can be submitted here or please contact one of our current officers for more information.  Once registration is completed, the contact for the sponsorship will receive additional instructions.  Thank you for your support!

Things to Keep in Mind at the Event:

• Testing will begin at 9:00 AM and will continue until all bridges have been tested.  Please arrive early in order to locate your school testing station.

• Bridges are NOT tested in alphabetical order by school. If possible, a listing of schools and testing locations will be sent out before the event.

• Some seating will be available along the perimeter of the event (testing is not viewable from seated areas).

• Parents attending with students must supervise them at all times.

• Please allow students to stand at the front of the line in order to watch the testing of their school’s bridges.

• Please do NOT touch any bridges prior to testing.

• The acoustics are not perfect for this type of event, so please listen carefully.  Signs will be used as available to help alleviate some sound issues.

• Winning teams will be announced as quickly as possible following the completion of all testing.

**All “workers” at the event are volunteers.  If there are any questions or concerns about the testing or rules, please direct them to teachers or the event coordinators.