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SCE Helps High Schoolers Test Their Bridge-Building Mettle

May 03, 2007

Popsicle sticks and water-based glue. Those were the only materials allowed in the recent bridge-building contest sponsored by Cal Poly Society of Civil Engineers (SCE).

Chris Pratt, a fourth-year civil engineering student and SCE vice president, revived the competition in hopes of sparking an interest in civil engineering: "I want kids to be excited about building things," he said. "When these kids get to their junior year in high school and say, 'Hey I want to be a civil engineer,' that’s our goal.”

Professor Dan Jansen was impressed by the younger students: "At first I was skeptical, but one team went over 1,300 pounds—that’s pretty darn amazing."

Thirteen teams from four schools used their nascent engineering skills to see who could build the strongest structure. The winning bridge, built by Morro Bay High physics students, was able to sustain 1,319 pounds of pressure, even though the team had to sand it down on the spot to narrowly meet the weight limit of 450 grams.

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	Home > News > SCE Helps High Schoolers Test Their Bridge-Building Mettle News SCE Helps High Schoolers Test Their Bridge-Building Mettle May 03, 2007 Popsicle sticks and water-based glue. Those were the only materials allowed in the recent bridge-building contest sponsored by Cal Poly Society of Civil Engineers (SCE). Chris Pratt, a fourth-year civil engineering student and SCE vice president, revived the competition in hopes of sparking an interest in civil engineering: "I want kids to be excited about building things," he said. "When these kids get to their junior year in high school and say, 'Hey I want to be a civil engineer,' that’s our goal.” Professor Dan Jansen was impressed by the younger students: "At first I was skeptical, but one team went over 1,300 pounds—that’s pretty darn amazing." Thirteen teams from four schools used their nascent engineering skills to see who could build the strongest structure. The winning bridge, built by Morro Bay High physics students, was able to sustain 1,319 pounds of pressure, even though the team had to sand it down on the spot to narrowly meet the weight limit of 450 grams.