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Apply today for 2020 National Bridge and Structure Competition!

by , posted on 12:08 PM, October 4, 2019
The National Bridge and Structure Competition is held annually for students in grades 7-12 from states that participate in TRAC (Transportation and Civil Engineering) & RIDES (Roadways In Developing Elementary Students).
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From MnDOT STEM Education and Outreach:

The National Bridge and Structure Competition is held annually for students in grades 7-12 from states that participate in TRAC (Transportation and Civil Engineering) & RIDES (Roadways In Developing Elementary Students). Minnesota students qualify as it is a participating state. 

TRAC & RIDES is an educational outreach program from the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO). The program offers hands-on activities that introduce K-12 students to the working world of transportation and civil engineering and inspire them to consider careers in those fields.

New for this year:

The competition will be divided into two categories:  Beginner TRAC and Advanced TRAC. The Beginner TRAC category will be open to those teams from schools competing for the first or second year in the national competition. Advanced TRAC category is for schools with teams returning to compete three or more consecutive years. Advanced TRAC teams will also have to complete an additional on-the-spot bridge challenge during the national competition that will be announced to the three finalist teams. 

Competition basics:  

  1. There are three divisions: grades 7-8, 9-10, 11-12.
  2. Students form teams of up to three people. Each team needs to have an adult adviser. Each school can have up to five teams.
  3. Teams submit an application to the competition.
  4. Teams receive a bridge design kit.
  5. Teams make a design and proposal package and send it in to be judged.
  6. The top three teams in each category of each division nationally are invited to the AASHTO spring meeting to compete against each other. The trip is paid for by the competition.
  7. Teams can win cash prizes!

Important competition dates:

  1. November 1, 2019: Team applications are due
  2. November 30, 2019: Kits shipped out
  3. February 14, 2020: Proposals are due
  4. March 13, 2020: Finalists are notified
  5. May 18-21, 2020: Competition Finals at AASHTO Spring Meeting in Kansas City, Missouri

Competition guidelines and more information:

https://tracrides.transportation.org/national-trac-bridge-challenge/

MnDOT would love to help schools and students interested in participating. We can help you find an adviser and answer questions about bridge design.  

Contact:
Marcia Lochner
STEM Outreach Liaison
stemoutreach.dot@state.mn.us
651-366-3097

For more information on MnDOT's STEM Education and Outreach: mndot.gov/stem