2019 Spaghetti Bridge Competition

Event Phone: 07 3102 7394

The Spaghetti Bridge Competition is a problem-solving engineering challenge for students from Grades 5 to 12.  Teams have two months to plan, design and build a bridge from store-bought spaghetti and glue.  They come together at a venue to test their bridge’s strength on a custom-made rig.  The bridge that withstands the most force is declared the winner.

The event fosters team-work, problem-solving and hands-on learning.

The Spaghetti Bridge competition can be used by schools as an extension activity or embedded into their science, engineering or physics curriculum.  Ready-to-go lessons and resources are being developed to help schools to achieve this with the minimum of effort.

There is prize money totaling $2000 and entry is free to all schools, subsidised by sponsorship from the Department of Transport and Main Roads, and Engineers Australia (Qld Division).

• First Place – Largest Peak Load (across all testing locations) – $1000
• Second Place (across all testing locations) – $500
• Third Place (across all testing locations) – $250
• Best Middle School Team (Yrs 5 – 8 members only) (if not receiving any of the above prizes) – $250

Teams are challenged to build the strongest bridge weighing no more than 300 g (including a load plate), to span a gap of 35 cm.

Teachers are asked to register the approximate number of teams they wish to enter.  Schools will then be contacted closer to the event to determine how many load hooks are required (the first three hooks are provided free, with each additional hook costing $7.20 + postage).

The testing will take place in three  locations in 2019:

• Chisholm Catholic College, Cornubia, Friday 30 August 2019
• TAFE Brisbane, South Bank, Brisbane, Wednesday 23 October 2019
• St Eugene College, Burpengary, Friday 25 October 2019

Testing Days

• Teams can have their bridges tested at any location.
• We would like at least one member of the team present for the testing, and/or their teacher/parent representative, but if this is not possible, then please organise to have the bridge delivered to TELG at least one week before the final testing day (25th October).  It is our preference that the whole team attend, but we understand that may not be possible.
• Testing will occur in two blocks – 10 am and 12.30 pm.  Schools are encouraged to stay and watch other bridges being tested.
• All tests are recorded and photographed, and this media is made available to the teams for analysis.

Processes are in place to allow teams from regional areas to participate – contact TELG for more details if you are interested.

You can download the Rules and Conditions here.