Community

December 6, 2009

Bridge-building competition open to area students

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Bridge Building Committee will hold its 23rd Annual Regional Bridge Building Competition on Feb. 13 in the Viewmont Mall, Dickson City. All public and private schools in the northeast quadrant of Pennsylvania (from the New York border to the North, Shenandoah to the South, the Delaware River to the East, and Galeton to the West) can select three students to represent their school. Invitations have been mailed to all schools. Students should check with their teachers and/or administration to obtain the particulars. If information is not available, contact Donald Kieffer at DHKIEFFER@ALUM.LHUP.EDU.

The competition is co-directed by L. Edward Moody and Donald H. Kieffer. The objective of the competition is to provide an educational learning experience for secondary students to demonstrate their understanding of scientific and engineering principles to everyday experiences. Students (three entries from each school and one student per bridge) are invited to construct a model bridge. These bridges must be designed and constructed by the student from 3/32” basswood that meets specific criteria established each year by the International Bridge Building Committee. Schools may conduct their own competition to choose their representatives for the regional competition. Criteria will be provided by the building committee. The first three winners from each local competition are then eligible to rebuild and improve their bridge design for the regional competition. The first- and second-place regional winners are eligible to compete at the International Competition in Philadelphia.

Sponsors of the regional competition are needed. Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor, contact Donald Kieffer at DHKIEFFER@ALUM.LHUP.EDU; 570-586-0197; fax: 570-587-1154; or cell: 570-561-3286. Arrangements for the delivery of the wood kits for the regional competition and/or sponsorships may be made by contacting Kieffer.

Participants are requested to be at the Viewmont Mall at 8:45 a.m. on Feb. 13 to begin checking bridges for adherence to specifications. The actual competition will commence around 10 a.m., or as soon as all of the bridges have been checked. The competition will last until approximately noon, or until all of the bridges have been tested.

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