BUILDING A DA VINCI BRIDGE

STEP 1 1 2 3
Line up your first two sticks.
Criss-cross and line up the next two stick such that
they sit on top of the first and under the second stick.
Get a partner to help lift stick one up while pushing
stick 5 & 6 over stick 2 and under stick 1
STEP 2 4
Slide a stick under stick 3 and 4
With the help of a partner lift up the newly added
stick and slide two more sticks over the centre and
under the new stick. Check you have a bridge that
looks something like this.

Then add another stick under the opposite side.

STEP 3
With the help of a partner lift up the newly added
stick and slide two more sticks over the higher up stick
and under the new stick.

STEP 4
Consider the positioning of your sticks. They do not
have to be straight and may work better if turned
slightly in.
Test your bridge to see if it can hold weight.

STEP 5
If you have time add more height and length to your
bridge by repeating steps 2 and 3.
As you progress adding sticks and building your bridge
placing one hand on top to create a small amount of
pressure might help hold things in place.

STEP 6
Continue adding sticks and testing the weight bearing
capacity of your bridge.
What eventually happens? Is there an ideal number of
sticks – why/why not?
 EXPLODING STICKS
Step 1
Check you have your safety glasses on.
Easier to build on carpet, so collect your
equipment and find a carpet spot if possible.
Lay one stick over the other to make an X shape
Place the third stick under one and over the other.

Step 2
Check you have an A shape
Place a fourth stick opposite to
the third stick at the bottom of
the A shape. So over one and
under the other.

Image – How to make an exploding

stick Bomb! – Rob’s World

Step 3
Continue threading your
sticks adding first to the left
and then to the right of
your chain, keeping
pressure on the last stick
just placed.
Image Sick Science Popsicle Stick Chain Reaction

Step 4
Try to add a lock on your chain so that it can be
paused without you holding it.

Image Popsicle chain Reaction - Engineering Activity for Kids

Step 4
Build a longer stick reaction.
When you let go what causes the reaction? Discuss
what scientific terms relate to this reaction.

Image Sick Science Popsicle Stick Chain Reaction