Southeast Schools Encouraged to Participate in MoDOT's 23rd Annual Bridge Building Competition
MoDOT is hosting its 23rd Annual Bridge Building Competition for high school juniors and seniors within MoDOT’s Southeast District. The lightest bridge to carry the greatest load will ultimately be declared the winner. This year's event will be held on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 9:00 a.m., in Academic Hall on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau.
The registration deadline is Sunday, Sept. 13. To register, complete the Excel form and email it to Ashley Metelski.
To participate, high schools must submit at least 75% of the completed bridges from the kits provided. If a high school receives kits from us and does not submit at least 75% of completed bridges, the school may not be eligible to participate in next year’s competition. Please note that only materials supplied by MoDOT may be used. The event rules are available here.
MoDOT provides all bridge kits at no cost and will deliver or mail them to participating schools during the week of Sept. 14. The MoDOT team will pick up bridges during the week of Oct. 27.
In addition to the physical bridge competition, we will also host an Electronic Bridge Competition during the event. Students will compete to design an electronic bridge that is the lightest weight and can carry the heaviest load. This competition has a limited number of participants, but we hope to accommodate as many students as possible. Registration information will be sent to participating schools three weeks prior to the event.
*New this year- teacher competition! One teacher per school can compete in a separate Bridge Building Competition, held immediately after the student competition and prizes. The teacher’s competition has the same rules as the students. Due to time constraints, we will not be holding a separate electronic bridge competition for teachers. Teachers can register for this using the Excel document (on the second tab).
Cash prizes donated by local organizations will be awarded to the top bridge building winners, as well as to the most aesthetic bridge and the winner of the electronic bridge building contest. As in previous years, cash prizes will also be awarded to the top five schools with the best overall performance. The teacher with the most efficient bridge will win a cash prize.
For more information, please contact Senior Communications Specialist Ashley Metelski at Ashley.metelski@modot.mo.gov or 573-380-9432, or MoDOT's Customer Service Center toll-free at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636).