Balsa Bridges Will Come Falling Down In Regional Competition

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — More than 50 high school sophomores, juniors and seniors from western Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas high schools will be at the University of Arkansas Engineering Research Center on Saturday, January 11 for the final phase of a balsa wood bridge building competition. All students are participants in Upward Bound, a federally funded program designed to motivate eligible students in grades 9-12 to graduate from high school and pursue a college education.

Based on information received in monthly assignments, students in the Upward Bound mathematics and sciences programs at the U of A and Carl Albert State College in Poteau, Okla., have spent the fall semester designing and building a lightweight bridge that can withstand a heavy weight load. Bridges that weigh the least, hold the most weight, and follow design specifications in each competition category will receive awards. An additional prize for overall design will be awarded.

"We are excited about having this opportunity to work with the Carl Albert College Upward Bound program," said Keith Brink, director of the UA Upward Bound Academy for Mathematics and Sciences. "We hope that the balsa wood bridge competition will become an annual event and look forward to inviting additional programs and students to compete in the future."

Saturday’s event involves bridge testing, where judges place increasing weight on each model. Many dramatic bridge failures are anticipated! Testing will be held in rooms 2540 and 3211 at the Engineering Research Center located on Research Boulevard in south Fayetteville. Please use the northeast door to enter the ERC (north of the main entrance where GENESIS is located) — signs will be posted. Testing will begin at 12:30 p.m.; competition prizes will be awarded at 2:30 p.m.