To many, bridge building is both an art and a challenge. It is all about crafting the cheapest, strongest and most elegant bridge. The bridge contest took place from Jan. 12 to April 22.

According to Mrs. Rondon, an eighth grade science teacher who headed the bridge contest for the Red Pod, “The contest added an extra challenge to class and the kids who like that challenge. It pushed them to do more than they would normally do.”

First the bridge contest starts with a simple tutorial of how to use the computer designer, then, using the software, students have to make the cheapest and strongest bridge. The bridge software works simply by creating dots, or nodes, and connecting them in a bridge shape.

This contest comes shortly after the bridge unit, so kids can apply their knowledge about bridges. In the bridge unit, eighth graders learn what goes into making a bridge and give presentations on different famous bridges around the world. At the end of the bridge unit, students made physical copies of their bridges out of balsa wood and cardboard.

Two eighth grade students, Calvin Carson and Sam Laskin, successfully completed the challenge and will be awarded laptops for their hard work and ingenuity. Calvin’s Warren Under Truss bridge qualified as a contestant and cost $169,150 to build. When Calvin was asked of his opinion about the bridge contest, he said, “Bridge building is a fun sporting chance to express my intellect.”

The other winner, Sam Laskin, made an arch bridge for $341,078.
BMS would like to congratulate them both and encourage the next generation of bridge builders in seventh grade and the next generations of engineers innovators and problem solvers.