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NC Science Olympiad

Bridge-a-Roni

Division: A – Elementary

NC Essential Standards Alignment: Science as Inquiry

SEP: Construct Explanations and Design Solutions; Asking Questions and Defining Problems

Description:

The objective of this event is to design and build a bridge, constructed only of pasta and glue, with the greatest structural efficiency.  Each team may bring and enter only one pasta bridge.

Materials:

Teams must bring a bridge, constructed prior to the event, and safety glasses.

FAQs:

10/22/25: In the event manual, Bridge a Roni says 12 kg of sand on the front page under (a) but everywhere else it says 10.  What is the correct weight? 
There are two different things at play here: the maximum amount of weight that will be used to calculate the scoring in the competition and the amount of sand that the Tournament Organizer will provide to conduct the competition.

  • §6.a: The Tournament organizer will provide as least 12 kg of sand.
    • This is the amount of sand that is provided to conduct the test.
    • The intent is such that when the reservoir on the testing apparatus is emptied there is at least 10 kg of sand in the bucket.
    • From the Event Leader/Tournament Organizer perspective, we want to guarantee that we can exceed the maximum amount scored every single test.
  • §11.b: Bridges that hold more than 10 kg will be scored using 10 kg.
    • This is a limit on the scoring alone and has no physical limit on the sand in the bucket at the end of any given test.
So, from a Tournament Organizer perspective, at least 12 kg of sand should be on hand to ensure that every test can exceed the 10 kg maximum scored.
 

11/10/25: In previous years, the loading block could be placed pretty much anywhere on the bridge at any height whether the top, middle, or bottom of the bridge. The way the rules read this year. It seems like the loading block has to be placed at least 15 cm above the loading platform. Could you please confirm if this is the case or if we are just reading it wrong

The intent of the rules is that the bottom of the loading block is 15 cm or more above the top of the Test Support Blocks. The bridge may be taller than that and support the Loading Block at midspan at any point vertically within or atop the bridge, such that the bottom of the loading block is at least 15 cm above the top of the Test Support Blocks.
 
Our recommendation would be to place the Loading Block atop the bridge and construct the bridge such that it is at least 15 cm tall (but not more than 40 cm tall).
 

12/3/25: The manual last year said “only pasta and glue”, but this year, “only pasta, multi-purpose glue, and/or hot glue” was added.  “Dr. Google” says super glue is an all-purpose and multi-purpose glue, but I want to confirm, since the wording is changed.
The rules only state that the bridge is to be constructed of “only pasta and glue.” The only change is a recommended one based on experience and feedback from teachers/coaches. The recommendation is for students to only use multi-purpose glue (i.e. Elmer’s Glue or craft glue) or hot glue (low or high temp) since superglues can be outside some student’s abilities, skill set(s), and/or maturity. We defer to the Teacher/Coach to allow whichever glue they think is best based on their students.

Scoring:

  1. The best structural efficiency (highest number) wins, determined by the following equation:
    Structural Efficiency = Load Supported (grams) ÷ Mass of Bridge (grams)
  2. Bridges that hold more than 10 kg will be scored using 10 kg (10,000 g) as the maximum Load Supported.
  3. Bridges will be scored in 3 tiers:
    1. Tier 1: Bridges with no violations 
    2. Tier 2: Bridges with construction violations
    3. Tier 3: Bridges that cannot be tested for any reason (e.g. cannot accommodate the loading block or team does not have proper eye protection) will be given participation points only.
  4. Final rankings are determined by Tier first, then Structural Efficiency score second, then any applicable tie-breakers. Any bridge in Tier 1 will be ranked ahead of all bridges in Tiers 2 & 3 regardless of score.
  5. Ties will be broken in favor of the team with the lighter bridge.

Common Mistakes:

  • It is not the goal to build a bridge that you can walk across – efficiency wins!  Many winning bridges will break during testing, but because they are very light, their efficiency is better than the super-strong very heavy lasagna monstrosity bridges.
  • Make sure that your bridge is designed to accommodate the loading block and chain (see rules) – we recommend making or purchasing a loading block and chain from us so that you can practice with it.

Recommendations:

  1. Hot glue dries/hardens quicker.
  2. Triangles are a construction engineer’s best friend.
  3. Make a full-size pattern of your bridge. Build bridge on pattern. Be exact!
  4. “Spot” glue and don’t add excessive adhesive weight.
  5. Joints should be “overlaid” not “butted”.
  6. Cut off excess pasta and glue after assembly.
  7. Use bridge design software. Search the web for other ideas and designs.
  8. Build and test A LOT. Each iteration will get better. Design, test, and refine.
  9. A blowdryer is a great way to get rid of the ‘wispies’ of glue after it is dry.

Event Resources:

Model Bridge Design
PBS NOVA – Types of Bridges game
Hooda Math – Bridge building computer games
PBS Newton’s Apple – Video on building and testing different types of bridges
Pasta Bridge Lesson Plan
Instructional Video for Building a PVC Breaker
Specs for Building a PVC Breaker
DIY Loading Block Instructions