2004 Year in Review

MIT Bridge Competition

3rd Place Sara Wassell is surprised as her bridge flies apart under the pressure.

Amy Beyer shows off her 1st place bridge in this years competition.

MIT held the annual bridge breaking competition Wednesday the 7th. Second year students are nearing graduation but before they go, Strengths of Materials teacher Sarah Delavan offers extra credit to anyone building a bridge.

The Popsicle stick bridges have exacting criteria. They must be made of Birch craft sticks and wood glue (no metal). Their weight cannot be more than 250 grams, width 4-1/2”, length between 18 – 20” and a max height of 10”.

Students get a 2.5% raise in grade for participating but 1st place earns 10%, 2nd place a 7.5% raise, and 3rd place earns 5%. In addition the best looking bridge earns an additional 3%. Sara Wassell won third with 1.13 pounds per gram, Jacob Steffes won second with 1.25, and Amy Beyer won first with 1.45. Chris Schuemaker won best looking.

For more pictures from the event visit Photo Album.

by Barb Benson, theCity1.com
April 7, 2004