Toothpick bridge contest at gee!

This is a placeholder for my ideas on a new competition at gee!  I did this in 5th grade and it was super fun.  I think I got third place without the internet or any books on bridge building.  I just used nine million toothpicks. :-)

I think the summer is the best time for this activity.  Keeps the kids engaged and they are still learning.  Most of the work is done at home, so they don't have to come to a class.

Have an intro meeting.  I should make a bridge before and bring it in.  We could have toothpicks and glue there for kids to play with.  Maybe hand out a box of toothpicks and a bottle of glue to everyone?

A prize for the winner?  A prize for all participants?  A certificate and a photo?  Maybe the certificate has how much weight it held?  Keep track of the record.  Make a plaque which will keep track of the winners??  Have a special trophy or ribbon ready when the record is broken in a future year??

Different divisions? 8-12 year olds; 13+ year olds

Timeline:

July 13: Toothpick Bridge Contest!
June 29: Have intro meeting- hand out box of toothpicks and bottle of glue
June 16: Make toothpick bridge
June 15: Announce competition!
June 1: What will be the prize for the participants?
May 15: Finalize contest rules & select date
May 1: What will be the grand prize?
April 15: Start putting together contest rules, websites; how much do toothpicks cost?

gee! Toothpick Bridge Contest Rules

Who can make the strongest bridge made of only toothpicks?

• Bridge can only be made of toothpicks (round or straight) and white Elmer's glue.
• Any number of toothpicks can be used.
• Toothpicks can be used whole or in pieces.
• The bridge can be of any shape, but it needs to have a space on top in order to add weights.
• Weights will be books.
• Bridge may not be coated with any material (i.e., paint, stain or glue). 
• Must span a 12 inch gap. +/- .75 inch

Links:
http://www.pisymphony.com/toothpick/toothpick1.htm
http://www.toothpickdesign.com/trusstoothpickbridges.htm
http://www.mrg-online.com/bridge.htm

Simple bridges with book weights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tqSF5bvNpk&feature=related

Competition video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3GouVpD5WE

Bridge building game: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tech/build-bridge-p1.html

Contest rule links:
http://www.asce.org/uploadedFiles/2010ToothpickCompetition.pdf

Virtual bridge contest in January: http://bridgecontest.usma.edu/overview.htm

Popsicle stick bridge designs: http://www.scholastic.com/browse/lessonplan.jsp?id=1509