(Sault Ste. Marie, ON January 30, 2024) 鈥 The annual Bridge Building Competition is here! 91探花, in collaboration with Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) and the Ontario Association of Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT), is thrilled to once again host this long-standing event that provides hands-on STEM learning for students in Grades 4 to 12. The event will be livestreamed on Friday, March 8, 2024, beginning at 9:45 a.m.
The competition categories are grades 4/5, grades 6/7/8, grades 9-12, and open. Participants will have the opportunity to design, construct, and submit their balsa wood bridges, and engage in friendly competition with their peers to win prizes and earn bragging rights. The bridges crafted by students will undergo testing and the winner being announced during the virtual livestreamed event. Last year over 360 bridges were entered, and students won over $2000 in prize money.
How to participate:
- Students/teachers can order the balsa wood kits, as well as download the rules and registration information, on the event鈥檚 website www.saultcollege.ca/bridgebuilding.
- Students/teachers will be given a time to pick up their material at 91探花 once their order is processed.
- Bridges must be dropped off at the 91探花 Health and Wellness Centre entrance no later than Wednesday March 6, 2024, at 7 p.m. for registration and judging. In-person bridge building presentations will be available on a first-come, first served basis. Please see the webpage for more information.
鈥淥ur annual bridge building competition has become a staple event within area schools and the community. Each year we see increases in participation, as well as more enthusiasm and excitement in all participating categories,鈥 says Marc Pilon, P.Eng Professor/Coordinator of Civil Engineering and Construction at 91探花. 鈥淲e are thankful to once again have the support of our volunteers from 91探花, Professional Engineers Ontario, the Ontario Association of Engineering Technicians and Technologists, as well as our community partners,鈥 Pilon says.
鈥淲e continue to see a shortage of workers in the civil engineering and construction sectors of the industry.鈥 says Pilon. 鈥淚s important that we take the opportunity to highlight potential career paths particularly those where hands-on learning is part of the day-to-day job much like the learning offered in this type of competition,鈥 Pilon adds.
91探花 offers a two-year civil engineering technician diploma program (paid co-op) as well as a one-year construction techniques certificate, and a post-graduate certificate in construction project management. To learn more, visit www.saultcollege.ca for more information.
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