Organizers of the 23rd annual Bridge Building Contest have shaken up the rules for 2016.

Contest organizers are hoping that the relaxed rules in one category will lead to increased creativity.

Grades 3-12 students remain limited to teams of four people, have to create bridges using only wooden stir sticks, dental floss and white glue, and keep within strict height and anchoring restrictions, organizers said recently.

Those entering the popular ALL-CAN category will have much greater freedom.

ALL-CAN teams can have unlimited members, of any age, working at any level.

They can use power tools, their bridges have almost no restriction on overall height, and each end of their bridge can be anchored to the testing station with up to 1,000 milimeters of masking tape.

“The ALL-CAN team must still use only wooden sticks, glue and dental floss, but we are hoping that by relaxing the rules in this one category judges will see a greater diversity of bridge designs entered this year,” said Heather Dundas, co-ordinator of Science Adventures at Yukon College.

The contest will continue reinforcing the rule that no adult can help the Grade 3-12 teams beyond verbal encouragement.

Organizers hope that teams with enthusiastic adults will this year be inclined to participate in the more liberal ALL-CAN category.

The deadline for teams to register in the 2016 contest is today.

Each competitor will receive a certificate that includes a photo of their bridge and a participation prize.

Prizes will also be awarded in each age category and there are special prizes for best narrative, best-looking, strongest, and lightest bridges.

The contest will take place at 1 p.m in the Porter Creek Secondary School gym on April 9.