1. The Toothpick Bridge Challenge
Grade 5

2. Construction Companies
Each “company” will have 5 members:
Project Director
Architect
Transportation Chief
Accountant
Chief Carpenter
All members will act as carpenters

3. Project Director
Keeps schedule, makes sure all company employees do their jobs
Keeps daily journal of company’s progress, records problems & solutions
Signs and approves building plans, checks and order forms
Makes sure site is neat and organized
Cleans up and stores bridge each day
Does NOT draw plans, do accounting, or perform any duties listed for other company members

4. Architect Designs bridge and draws plans
Shows others how to construct bridge according to the plans
Keeps inventory of building materials on hand at site
Makes sure actual bridge being built follows and looks like the plans
Orders supplies, filling out order form as needed
Does not perform any duties listed for other company members.

5. Transportation Chief
Delivers checks, picks up supplies from the warehouse
Is the ONLY person from the company who does business with the warehouse (You must be on time or your company will not be able to begin building.)
Helps build bridge, verifies boat and truck can travel under or over bridge
Brings project to Room 1 at the end of the class
Does not write checks or perform any duties listed for other company members

6. Accountant Writes checks to go with order forms
Keeps balance sheet current each day
Makes sure that company account balances
Meets with auditor if necessary
Does NOT go to warehouse or perform any duties listed for other company members

7. Chief Carpenter Builds bridge according to architect’s plans
Consults with architect as building proceeds
Insures EPA compliance
Supervises the company members who help with construction
Does NOT go to warehouse or perform any duties listed for other company members

8. Contest Rules
The bridge must be built according to the bridge building code, using only materials supplied by the I. Saw Lumber Company
The bridge will judged for the quality of the building plans and the strength of the bridge

9. Judging of the Building Plans
Will consider neatness of the finished bridge
Cost of the bridge
How well the finished bridge matches it plans

10. Judging of the Bridge’s Strength
Strength will be tested by placing a bar across the middle of the bridge and hanging weights from the bar
The teacher will suspend weights from the bridge according to the project director’s wishes
The last weight that the bridge holds for 30 seconds without touching the cardboard in any spot (except at the bridge foundation) is the weight recorded for the strength of the bridge

11. Bridge Building Code Bridge is built only on “site” provided
Draw plans of the bridge to show 4 views:
The view from one end
The side view
The road bed
The top view
Apply glue SPARINGLY ONLY to join the toothpicks
The bridge may only touch the cardboard inside the drawn squares; toothpicks may be glued into holes punched in the cardboard inside the squares.
The bridge must be more than 5cm high and at least 4cm wide

12. Environmental Protection Agency
There will be an inspection by the Environmental Protection Agency sometime early December.
Violations are subject to fines if not rectified in 1 week
They will be evaluating the following:
Proper record keeping
Proper storage of materials
Proper garbage disposal
Land use and clean water rules

13. Procedure for Ordering Supplies
Architect fills out the order form for construction supplies and gives it to the accountant
Accountant writes a check to accompany the order form, must have the project director sign the check, gives order form and check to transportation chief
Transportation chief brings them to the warehouse and brings supplies back to site

14. Additional Info
The I. Saw Lumber Warehouse closes each morning at 8:05am. From 8:05 – 8:15am~
Architect may make out orders for supplies for next session
Accountant can make out checks
Transportation Chief can deliver request so supplies will be ready when business opens next session
Project Director checks for clean site

15. Additional Accounting Info
Account starts with $1,550,000
At the end of each session all canceled checks are returned to the company. At the end of the project, the accountants will turn in their cancelled checks along with the balance sheets
Problems? Order an audit through warehouse supply form ($2,000).
Note: If you need an audit, you will be disqualified from receiving Accountant’s Award

16. FINES!!! Fines must be paid by check for the following infractions:
Disturbing other companies
Messy construction sites
Problems with order procedure
Bridges not built to code
Touching bridges built by other companies

17. Good luck, cooperate with your company and Happy Building! ! !