If you think toothpicks are just something handy to have around after a meal, then you should see what Bonham High School physics students Morgan Atkinson, Axle Brown, Patton Copeland, Mike Davidson and Caroline Todd can make a toothpick do.

Under the guidance of instructor Mike Vaught, these students are learning practical applications of physics principles by building and testing toothpick bridges.

Students are allotted 220 toothpicks and given width and length specifications.  So just how much weight will one of these bridges support?  The winning entry held up over 37 pounds.

The bucket is loaded with weights to test the bridge's design and construction techniques.

A close view of one of the bridges.

These weights are placed in the bucket that is attached to the bridge.