Tidrick Class Blog

Bridge Breaking 2008

Friday was Bridge Supply's  2nd Annual Breaking Breaking Contest.  It was very exciting as we took each bridge one by one to see how much weight the could hold.  Each bridge was officially weighed by our judge.  Then we attached a bucket and began to add weight.  The bridge had to hold the weight of the bucket plus weight which added to 1 kilogram.  Only one bridge was not able to hold that weight. The top three bridge were exciting to watch break.  After determining the weight the bridge could hold, the second step was to divide the weight of the bridge into the weight the bridge held.  This determines the strength of the bridge.  This figure determined the winner of the competition.

The winning bridge, The Masheeno Bridge Company,  held over 5000 grams which is over 11 pounds.  This company also won the "Closest Budget and Best Accounting Award." 

In Second Place, Bubbly World Bridge, Inc., held 4040 grams which equal around 9 pounds. Theirs was the first bridge to break and it was very exciting to watch it.

Coming a close third was Stronghold 2.15 which held a little more weight than Bubbly World Bridge,Inc. but whose bridge weighted more  and using our strength formula determined it came in third place.

The fourth place bridge, The Holy Bronze Bridge, broke with a kilogram which is 2.2 pounds.  This company received the "Most Attractive Bridge".  This award is for the bridge closest to its blueprint.

After our competition, we had a reception for our companies and our guests.  We had several parents, grandparents, and our reading buddies.  Everyone enjoyed our beautiful bridge cake.

Finally Completed

Today was the last day of bridge building.  All of the companies finished their bridges and look forward to the  Bridge Breaking Competition tomorrow.  We hope some of our parents and friends will be able to attend.  It will be amazing to see how much weight toothpick bridges can hold.  Which company designed the strongest bridge?  It will be determined tomorrow.  See you there!

The finished bridges:

                                                     

Another Day of Bridge Building

All the bridges have finally crossed the water.  Today we had some companies working over time by staying after school.  We only have until Wednesday after Spring Break for building.  Remember, we will break the bridges on Friday, April 18 from 8:30 - 10:30 AM.   There will be a reception honoring all the Bridge Companies and others who attend to watch.

                                                  

Bridge Building Continues

We continue to work on our bridges.  Some of the bridges are beginning to take shape..  Others are still working on the piers but are close to begin going across.    With Spring Break coming up, we only have this week and part of the  week when we get back.  Wish us luck!

                                                      

Day 4 Bridge Building

One of our guidelines for the bridge is the weight of the bridge.  The bridge can not be over 40 grams.  Today we weighed the bridges to see how many grams each weighed. One bridge company had a set back because their bridge was already over the weight limit.  The decision was made to tear what they had already built and begin construction again.  This will put them several days behind the other bridges, however, they will be staying truer to their original design which is one of the criteria for the bridge.   Another company had to tear down part of one of their piers.  All the bridges are progressing, however for some companies is seems to be slow going.

We had hoped to have our "Bridge Breaking" ceremony this Friday, April 4th, however the reality is they will not be finished by that day.  We have now set the "Bridge Breaking" ceremony to be on Friday, April 18 around 8:30-10:30 AM.   We will see which is the strongest bridge and also have a celebration for the success of all the companies.  We hope you will be able to join us.

                                                   

Day 3 Bridge Building

Building continues on Day 3.  We are beginning to see some progress.  Today Builder Supply, INC. had a sell on toothpicks.  It was buy one get one free up to six bundles of 50.  Many of the companies took advantage of the sale.

                                                   

Day 2 of the Bridge Build

Bridge building continues today.  All the companies are working on the piers of their beam bridges.  We discussed the need for more structure in some of the Companies' piers.  The piers will take a lot of the weight when we begin to break our bridges.  It is important the have a strong structure.

                                                     

Bridge Building Begins

After several weeks of researching bridges, coming up with a design, making a budget, and receiving a loan ,we began our bridge building project.  Bridge Supply Inc. opened for business and our companies were able to buy the supplies they needed to begin.  We have four companies building bridges: 

Bubby World Bridge, Inc.
The Holy Bronze Bridge
The Masheeno Bridge Company
Strong Hold

Please take a visual tour of our first day.