Challenge students to become real engineers with this exciting hands-on STEM project!

The Toothpick Bridge Challenge is an engaging engineering activity where students design, build, test, and improve a bridge using only toothpicks and hot glue. Students apply the Engineering Design Process, explore compression and tension, and discover how structural design impacts strength.

This resource includes a bright, engaging slideshow presentation and a detailed teacher guide with project directions, materials, testing procedures, grading ideas, and classroom implementation tips.

Students become highly invested in testing day as they compete to build the strongest bridge!

What’s Included:

📽️ Toothpick Bridge Challenge Slideshow

Includes:

✅ Challenge introduction
✅ Materials list
✅ Rules and constraints
✅ Engineering concepts
✅ Compression vs. tension explanations
✅ Why triangles make stronger structures
✅ Engineering Design Process
✅ Planning requirements
✅ Testing procedures
✅ Grading rubric
✅ Reflection questions
✅ Motivational ending slide
✅ Bright Canva-style graphics throughout

📄 Teacher Guide / Teacher Notes Resource

Includes:

✅ Project overview
✅ Learning goals
✅ Suggested pacing guide (3–5 days)
✅ Materials list
✅ Teacher setup instructions
✅ Testing station recommendations
✅ Bridge constraints and rules
✅ Suggested build limitations
✅ Competition category ideas
✅ Teacher tips and troubleshooting
✅ Story hook to increase engagement

Students Will Learn:

🔹 Structural engineering concepts
🔹 Compression and tension forces
🔹 Engineering design principles
🔹 Teamwork and collaboration
🔹 Problem solving skills
🔹 Testing and redesign strategies

Perfect For:

✔ STEM days
✔ Engineering units
✔ End-of-year projects
✔ Hands-on science lessons
✔ Fast finishers
✔ Project-based learning
✔ Middle school science classrooms

Suggested Standards:

Aligned with:

Next Generation Science Standards

• MS-ETS1-1
• MS-ETS1-2
• MS-ETS1-3