I did that when I was back in High School! It's a super fun, simple STEM activity with the opportunity to learn a lot with a good mentor-we got lucky and had a retired engineer who went out of his way to make sure we learned basic stuff about statics and structural engineering.

Yes, but will it survive a 9.0 quake?

We already know the Deep Stick Tunnel won't ... you'll be trapped underwater while the fans are broken and the power cuts out.

At least with a Popsicle stick bridge you can eat any unused popsicles to survive until rescued, and since they're frozen liquid, you've got water and food in one easily consumable form.

What was the race of the students who designed it? Just curious.

I am very sensitive to race and who be build'n my bridges & shit. Want to make sure we celebrate diversity in engineering and medical science.

#3 GFY, frat boy.

Obligatory Calvin & Hobbes strip about bridge strength:
http://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes/…

We built popsicle stick bridges when I was in first grade, in 1978. We didn't actually weight-test them, though. Just made them look cool.

Hey Sean @4, why do you hate black people so?

I'm hoping its a bunch of inner-city, slam-dunking negro kids, showing the Whites/Asians/E. Indians how the hell to build shit.

That would be some fucking awesome redemption considering we have had now two generations of Affirmative Action in place.

@8 is it true you live along the Duwamish?

LOL. Good one billy.

It's amazing how quickly this thread degenerated into who could be the biggest asshole.

When a student constructs an engineering marvel from Popsicle sticks, I think it's insanely cool.

The rest of you would do well to fuck off.

The Slog is a shit-show. What do you expect?

I'm kind of amazed about the lack of goggles, considering the forces being exerted on splintery wood...

Oh god, I'm OLD!!!

We've proved that nothing likes to hide out under a bridge like a troll.

Back on topic: Kids working together to solve hands-on problems: Go, team, go!

I see about $4 of materials, hours and hours spent by the students, time and testing facilities donated (by UW? an engineering firm?), and many lessons learned. Not just about materials science, statics, and structural issues, but also bigger lessons about research, teamwork, trial & error, and refining a design.