Phillips Wins Math Club Spaghetti Bridge Contest

Middle school students tested their engineering skills during the Math Club’s Spaghetti Bridge Contest held March 4, 2026.

Students spent the past two months designing and building bridges made primarily from spaghetti in preparation for the competition. The goal was to create a bridge capable of holding the greatest amount of weight while meeting strict design specifications.

Bridges could only be constructed at school using spaghetti that could be carved, notched, steamed, boiled or curved. Glue was the only other material allowed. Each bridge also had to meet specific weight and dimension restrictions.

During the competition, a bolt with a hook was attached to the center of each bridge, and a bucket was hung from the hook. Sand was gradually added to the bucket until the bridge collapsed. The amount of sand held determined the winners.

Students and sponsors watched as each bridge was tested, anticipating how much weight each structure could support. Participants also enjoyed pizza and soda during the event.

Students were allowed to compete individually or in teams of two.

Brayden Phillips, a seventh-grade student, won first place and a $15 prize. Sixth-grader Trinity LaBonte placed second and received $10, while seventh-grader Curtis Exner finished third and earned $5.

Honorable mentions were awarded to Taylor Nelson and Brody Phillips.

The event was sponsored by Mrs. Yancy and Mrs. Exner. Organizers thanked students and their parents for their work and said they hope to host the contest again next year.