Students’ faces dropped as their model bridges were stretched and eventually load-tested to destruction.
Suleman Fejzulai and Jamie Trifonos were among five Essendon Keilor College students entering miniature bridges in last Thursday’s Aurecon bridge building competition.
They were up against more than 1000 years 8 and 9 students from 47 Victorian schools, all battling it out to secure first place with the strongest bridge.
After all models had been assessed by structural engineering experts for their workmanship, creativity, visual appeal and functionality, the college was placed 25th overall.
Essendon Keilor College teacher Emma Tabone says it was a terrific result for the school, while the students had a wonderful day.
“It’s quite a positive experience for our boys as it exposes them to science and engineering with real world applications,” she says. “They were up against all the private schools in Victoria.
“These boys were brave just to give it a go.”
Prior to the event, teams of students spent the past two weeks engineering and building their bridges from popsicle sticks, string, glue and cardboard.
Kaniva College took out the all-rounder award for their entry that, which was able to bear 438 kilograms, despite weighing less than 500 grams.
Koonung College won the efficiency award, Marcellin College the strength award and Mentone Grammar the innovation award.
