22nd Annual Bridge Building Contest demonstrates youth engineering skills

Whitehorse – 222 bridge builders have registered for the 22nd Annual Bridge Building contest to be held this Saturday April 11, at the Porter Creek Secondary School gym.

The event, organised by Science Adventures at Yukon College and the Association of Professional Engineers of Yukon, will feature a total of 121 bridges created by students from 11 Yukon schools, home educators, plus adults in the All-Can category.

Robert Service School in Dawson City is leading the way with a total of 22 bridges submitted. Each bridge is made only from wooden coffee stir sticks, white glue and dental floss.  The challenge is to build the lightest bridge that can hold the most weight. The excitement is seeing how big a load these bridges can endure before they break.

Spencer Sumanik remembers that excitement. The 23-year-old Engineer in Training with Yukon Highways and Public Works is a veteran competitor and one of 30 volunteers who will make the contest happen on Saturday. As a student at Hidden Valley Elementary, Sumanik competed with a total of three bridges in grades 5-7, and credits the challenge with leading him to his chosen career.

“My advice to competitors is to respect the deadline and get your bridge finished right now,” said Sumanik. “I tried to enter four bridges one year and ran out of time – one or two well-made bridges will compete much better than four poorly constructed ones.”

Yukon Minister of Education, Doug Graham, will be the guest speaker opening the event. Contestants can drop off their bridges at Porter Creek Secondary between 2-6 p.m. on Friday April 10. Submissions are available for viewing 12-1 p.m. on Saturday April 11, followed by the actual contest as the strength of each bridge is tested. A large slow motion replay screen will be there and a public concession stand will keep everyone fueled up for the action.

In preparation for this event, members of the Association of Professional Engineers of Yukon have been making school presentations in French and English about bridge building techniques, as well as other fascinating engineering topics.  Schools in Dawson City and Whitehorse have taken advantage of this program.

Each competitor receives a certificate that includes a photo of their bridge and a participation prize. Prizes will also be awarded in each age category and there are special prizes for best narrative, best looking, strongest, and lightest bridges.

Visit www.scienceadventures.ca for details on the competition.