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7 August 2008
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Results are in for the 2008 Bridge Building Competition and students’ engineering achievements are going from strength to strength. An Aurecon initiative, this annual event has become a highlight for secondary schools, with many returning each year to put their bridge-building skills to the test.
All participating schools receive a kit of materials with which to build a bridge – and each bridge is tested to breaking point on the day of competition.
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Mitchell High School, winners of the NSW competition
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This year, Kaniva College received Victoria’s first and second competition prize. The top prize was won by team members Jacob Rayner, Monty Hards and Tim Braunstein for their bridge which withstood a weight of 144 kg before collapsing; while their all-girl team created a bridge that withstood a weight of 105 kg. Third prize went to Yeshivah College for their bridge that withstood 79 kg. All winning schools receive a cash prize, as do each of the team members.
Keen participants in this event, students from Kaniva College travel hundreds of kilometres to compete. “The kids talked my head off the whole way home,” said school teacher David Staehr, “and well done to your fabulous organisation.”
Commitment across schools in New South Wales is also showing strong results. The challenge and excitement of the programme sees schools travelling to Sydney from as far afield as the Queensland border. This year Mitchell High School took top honours with a bridge that withstood a weight of 121 kg; Lindisfarne came in second with a bridge that withstood 115 kg before collapsing; and Newcastle High School’s bridge withstood 81 kg.
The competition in New Zealand is gaining pace and this year’s winners are Newlands College (first); Tawa College (second); and Hutt Valley High School Team A (third).
Bridges are designed and built during school hours, which requires great support and involvement from teachers as well as students. As the Bridge Building Competition aims to encourage students to engage with engineering activity and see the different roles that engineering can play in our communities, Aurecon would like to thank and congratulate all participating schools.
Note: Each state or country provides a different kit of materials to schools; therefore, bridge strength will vary from area to area.
Media contacts:
Suzie Batson, Marketing Manager – Victoria
Aurecon
Ph: +61 3 8683 1400
Email: batsons@ap.aurecongroup.com
Dinaaz Lentin, Marketing Manager – NSW/ACT
Aurecon
Ph: +61 2 9465 5766
Email: lentind@ap.aurecongroup.com
Alena Upton, New Zealand Marketing Manager
Aurecon
Ph: +64 4 472 9589
Email: uptona@ap.aurecongroup.com
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