KINSTON — Middle school students from
Clarkton School of Discovery in Bladen County and high schools students from
Camden Early College in Camden County won the regional contest today in the
annual Model
Bridge Building Competition held at the Global TransPark in Kinston.
Students work in teams, allowing them to also demonstrate critical
thinking, problem solving, communication, research and interpersonal skills.
The teams were judged in four categories: written report, oral presentation,
design drawing and the ability of their bridges to sustain weight.
The challenge of building a bridge out of balsa wood and having it
sustain ever increasing amounts of weight was dramatic for students who watched
in awe as scoops of sand were poured into a bucket supported by the bridges they
had built.
Beyond the physics involved, students also learn to work together
as a group. Three other regions held similar contests across the state. They
include: Raleigh, Asheboro and Morganton. The winners of each region will
face-off in a state-wide competition to be held in Raleigh on April 20.