BBC 2025 - May 3, 2025

We are proud to hold our 20th Annual BBC for Scarborough Community School students in grades 3-4 (Junior) and grades 5-6 (Senior).

Students build bridges out of popsicle sticks and white school glue prior to the event (at home/school). We perform load testing to destroy/break the bridges right in front of the students and a large audience on the day of the event! 

Some bridges are very strong and can take a lot of load before breaking.

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Important Information

* Registration Link: BBC2025

* Deadline for registration: Saturday, April 19, 2025

* Date of competition: Saturday, May 3, 2025

* Venue: Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Borough Drive, Scarborough

* Registration Fee: $15/Team (a team can be of 2 or 3 persons - minimum 2 persons)

* Please email your concerns or questions to our event coordinator:[email protected]

 Objectives

1. Competitors will build a bridge using ONLY: 
    - Popsicle sticks 
    - White School Glue 
    - Construction paper 

2. Your bridge will be evaluated by the following measures:      
    - Quantitative: Load tested to destruction performance. 

Total Score based on quantitative is bridge capacity divided by weight of structure.

Note: A deflection of more than 2” (5 cm) at the center of the bridge is considered as destruction of the bridge even if the bridge does not break completely.

Qualitative: 

Each structure’s qualities are evaluated by judges based on the following attributes:

.Construction technology

Construction quality

Technical presentation and description of the structure design and construction

Aesthetics

Creativity

Competition Level

1. Senior Level – Students enrolled in grade 5 and 6

2. Junior Level – Students enrolled in grade 3 and 4

Eligibility, and Prizes

1.Each team must have at least 2 students or up to a maximum of 3 students. To encourage teamwork, one student teams are not permitted.

2. Each participating team member must be a full time student attending a school located in the Scarborough area or student residing within the Scarborough area (prove of residency is required).

3. Each Student can participate in only one level (either Senior or Junior team) and one team of this competition. 

4. Prizes, in total value over $1000, in 4 categories 

5. Bridge Performance (bridge capacity divided by bridge weight) Score and Judges' Score will be evaluated independently for both Senior and Junior levels.

6. The prizes for first, second, and third place will be awarded to each category (Bridge Performance, Judges' Score) for each level (Senior, Junior).

7. All participants will be given a certificate of participation.

Registration

1. Registration will be on a first come first served basis.

2. Student’s teacher or parent/guardian must provide the address of the school of each student or residency address which is within Scarborough area (Proof of residency shall be provided on the event day).

3. If you have any difficulty filling in the form, please contact the coordinator at: [email protected]  prior to filling in the on-line form.

4. Approximately one hundred students will be registered for each level. Additional applicants will be wait-listed.

5. There is no limit on the number of teams from each school to participate, however, each teacher can complete up to 10 teams.

6. The registration fee is $15.00 per team. 

7. School teachers shall register the students in his/her class. If a school does not participate, parents or guardians of interested (eligible) students may register directly. 

General

1. This contest will be conducted in English only.

2. A panel of adjudicators will resolve all disputes. Their decisions are final and binding.

3. Teachers, parents, guardians and their guests are welcome to attend the event and cheer the participants. The competition will be held in the Council Chambers. The guests will be able to witness the whole event and see the students in action.

4. Teachers, parents, guardians, and their guests are required not to assist or interfere with the contestants.

5. Space is limited for the audience up to 350. Entry is on a first come first served basis.

6. Food and drinks are not permitted inside the auditorium.

7. A student without proper registration will not be permitted to participate in the competition.

8. Bridge specification and Rules must be followed in making the bridge.

9. Bring some spare popsicle sticks, white glue, and construction paper for any last-minute modifications, repairs to the bridge. Also bring garbage bag to assist in cleaning process.

10. Every effort must be made to keep the premises (Rotunda, Council Chamber) and the surrounding environment litter free. All broken pieces of popsicle must be stored in garbage bins, including the tested structures.