Southeast Schools Encouraged to Participate in MoDOT's 21st Annual Bridge Building Competition

Registration Deadline: Sept. 11

SIKESTON-The Missouri Department of Transportation is sponsoring its 21st annual bridge building competition for high school juniors and seniors in the Southeast District's 25-county region. The competition challenges students to design and construct the most efficient model bridge using limited materials−balsa wood, thread and glue.

Schools must register by Sept. 11 to compete in the competition. To register, teachers will email their students' information in the registration spreadsheet to [email protected] and [email protected]. The registration spreadsheet is available at www.modot.org/bridge-competition.

Bridge kits will be mailed to the participating schools the week of Sept. 30. Completed bridges will be picked up from participating schools on Monday, Nov. 4 and Tuesday, Nov. 5. These completed bridges must be available for pick up on the specified dates and should ONLY use materials supplied in MoDOT's bridge kit.

Bridges entered in the competition will be tested Thursday, Nov. 21 at Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall, located at 900 Normal Ave. in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The lightest bridge to carry the greatest load will ultimately be declared the winner. Prizes will also be awarded for the most aesthetic bridge and to the winner of the electronic bridge competition. To win, high schools must attend.

MoDOT has partnered with Arkansas State University, University of Missouri-Columbia, Southeast Missouri State University, Missouri University of Science and Technology, and Southern Illinois University to offer seniors interested in civil engineering up to $10,000 in scholarships.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Southeast Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety will be on-hand to discuss the importance of buckling-up with the Seat Belt Convincer, which simulates how it feels to be in a traffic crash. The Coalition will also have a Fatal Vision Goggles simulation available. This demonstrates how quickly impairment can turn into devastating consequences for drivers.

For more information, please contact Senior Highway Designer Anita Clark at (573) 472-5294 or [email protected], Senior Highway Designer Gretchen Hanks at (573) 472-5294 or [email protected], or MoDOT's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888 ASK MODOT (275-6636).

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