Students Build Balsa Wood Bridges

On Monday and Tuesday, February 25th and 26th, Camden County College's Technical Studies Department and Tech Prep Office offered nearly 300 local middle school and high school students a fun and educational way to mark National Engineers Week and learn about careers as engineers and engineering technicians, which are in high demand.

The object of the contest, which was conceived by Professor Mel Roberts, is for students to put into action the scientific and team skills necessary for success in the engineering field. Each team must attempt to build the smallest, lightest balsa wood bridge that is capable of holding 30 pounds.

Bridges that successfully support 30 pounds are judged on their strength-to-weight ratio, with engraved trophies going to the teams placing first, second and third. Every student who participated received a memento to mark the occasion.

In 2001, 213 students from six schools submitted 73 entries. The popularity of Camden County College's previous one-day contests has led to the event being run over two days for the first time this year.

At this year’s competition, held at the Blackwood Campus, 134 students from six area high schools participated: Camden County Technical School, Cherry Hill West, Gloucester City Junior/Senior High, Haddonfield Memorial, Overbrook Senior High and Triton. There were a total of 40 entries. The winners were all from Camden County Technical School:

1st Place Team--Kyle Kenny, Kevin Echevarria and Phashean Moody

2nd Place Team--Andrew Johnson and Jerold Krause

3rd Place Team--Joe Stahl and Kristin Sims

As well, 138 middle school students from Audubon and Pyne Poynt participated in the competition. There were a total of 35 entries. The winners were all from Audubon:

1st Place Team--Lauren Donati, Cristina McLaughlin and Alyssa Krajewski

2nd Place Team--Mike Krauthein and Eric Bariana

3rd Place Team--Alison Barona and Samantha Przybyszewski

Congratulations to all of the students who participated!

Article continues below

---

advertisement

---

Author: Press Release