SIKESTON — The Missouri Department of Transportation’s Southeast District will hold the 18th Annual Bridge Building Competition on Thursday. Like last year’s competition, the ceremony will be held virtually.
“The participating schools did a great job adjusting last year. We found the virtual format allowed schools more flexibility and even provided students an opportunity to share their hard work with their families,” said MoDOT Senior Highway Designer Anita Clark.
The bridge competition challenges high school juniors and seniors in MoDOT’s Southeast District to design and construct the most efficient model bridge using limited materials, including balsa wood, string and glue.
Clark said the goal of the competition is to foster an appreciation of STEM careers—specifically engineering.
Senior Highway Designer Gretchen Hanks explained the competition will conclude with a bridge breaking ceremony where the bridges will be put to the test.
“Videos of the bridge breaking ceremony will be available the morning of Dec. 9, and the winning students and schools will be announced later that day,” said Hanks.
To watch the virtual ceremony, please visit the bridge competition webpage at https://www.modot.org/bridge-competition on Thursday, Dec. 9. A link to watch the ceremony is available at the bottom of the webpage.
Prizes donated by area businesses and organizations will be awarded to the top bridge building winners. In addition, MoDOT has partnered with Arkansas State University, Southeast Missouri State University, Missouri University of Science and Technology, University of Missouri-Columbia and Southern Illinois University to offer seniors interested in civil engineering up to $10,000 in scholarships.
For more information, please contact Clark at (573) 472-5294 or anita.clark@modot.mo.gov, Hanks at (573) 472-5294 or gretchen.hanks@modot.mo.gov, or MoDOT’s Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888 ASK MODOT (275-6636).