Building Strong Minds with Popsicle Stick Bridges!
Written by Mr. Rabanal
Mr. Delpech’s Geometry students recently took on an exciting hands-on STEM project: designing and building their very own popsicle stick bridges! Using only sticks, glue, and plenty of imagination, students worked in teams to apply geometric principles and engineering strategies to create the strongest and most stable bridge possible. Before construction began, students reviewed key concepts such as triangles, tension and compression, and how weight is distributed across a structure.
Once the building phase was complete, it was time for the big test—weight challenge day! One by one, each bridge was put to the test to see how much weight it could support. Cheers, gasps, and bursts of excitement filled the room as students watched their creations hold far more than they expected (and sometimes collapse in the most dramatic ways!).
This project was not only fun but also a meaningful opportunity for students to explore geometry in a real-world context. They practiced teamwork, problem-solving, drafting, measuring, and constructive revision. Many groups made small adjustments as they went, strengthening weak points or reinforcing joints to prepare for the challenge.
This year’s competition added a fun twist: students had weight added to their bridges every 30 seconds. The longer a bridge survived, the heavier the load it had to withstand! One impressive team held strong for a full nine minutes—earning cheers from everyone watching and setting a new class record.
Great job to all our young engineers!
