TOOTHPICK BRIDGE BUILDING EVENT atlantatoothpickbridge.org Sponsored by
IN RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL ENGINEERS WEEK
Saturday, February 23, 2008, from 1 to 3 p.m. At the Fernbank Science Center
	Directions
	Teachers!!:   Join us for a toothpick bridge design workshop on January 17th from 5-7pm!
	GOAL:  To design and build a bridge type structure in one of two categories: Toothpick Category and Open-Materials Category.  After entrants have designed and built their bridges, the event provides a convenient, fun-filled place to test them and see how well they work. ENTRANTS:   Open To All.  Students, parents, sponsoring engineers, and teachers are welcome to submit bridges!  Each entrant will receive a certificate with the results of the bridge test, an event T-shirt, and other interesting stuff.  We hope that this event will introduce students to careers in engineering. ADMISSION:  FREE to all. Participants will build their bridges in advance and bring them to the event.  There the bridges will be tested to failure (i.e. broken) to measure their load carrying ability and certificates issued. Entrants may build a bridge in either of two categories—the traditional Toothpick Category or the Open-Materials Category. As in the past, the Toothpick Category will be for bridges weighing no more than 121 grams and made entirely of toothpicks and glue. In the Open-Materials Category, the bridge may be constructed of any available materials with a combined weight not exceeding 60 grams. Plan to tour the museum as well as participate in the bridge building event. Students will also have an opportunity to talk to practicing engineers about careers in engineering and educational opportunities.  Pre-registration is not required.  Registration forms will be provided at the event.  Optional forms to complete in advance and bring to the event can be obtained from downloads on the right. There is no Admission charge to the Fernbank Science Center. HISTORY:  2008 will mark the 17th year this program has been offered in the Atlanta metro area.  In this time, almost 1600 young people (of all ages) have participated.  A summary of participation by school or organization may be found below, along with graphs that show the range of forces that the toothpick bridges have withstood.		Event Basics Click on each of the buttons below to help prepare. 6
			Optional Downloads
			Additional Resources
			West Point Bridge Design Contest
Photos by Rae Adams	CONTRIBUTE TO OUR WEBSITE:  Participants, please submit reports and diaries of your bridge development, design, fabrication, and testing efforts to be posted on our website.  Teachers, please submit your lesson plans and accounts of your experience of using this event in your classroom to be posted on our website. TEACHERS can also help us improve the toothpick bridge event by giving us advance notice of large groups. Teachers sending 10 or more students to the event please email or call us immediately to let us know about how many will be coming. VOLUNTEERS are also needed to help staff the event.  Send an email to info@atlantatoothpickbridge.org in order to join us!