Each year, a team of Ste. Genevieve High School students led by SGHS industrial technology teacher Kenny Rapp compete in the annual MoDOT Bridge Competition. This year, we are excited to share that out of 28 participating schools, SGHS earned first place for best overall performance. In addition, four SGHS students placed at the event, with two SGHS students taking first and second place overall!
After our students spent weeks figuring out how to build their version of an efficient model bridge, they headed to Southeast Missouri State University’s Academic Hall on Nov. 15 to compete. The Missouri Department of Transportation tested more than 200 bridges entered into the competition. Congratulations to our individual students who were recognized for building the lightest bridges that carried the greatest loads:
1st Place: Hope Schmelzle of Ste. Genevieve
2nd Place: Vinil Bhagha of Ste. Genevieve
7th Place: Tucker Reed
10th Place: Lexi Gielow
The MoDOT Bridge Building Competition challenges high school juniors and seniors to design and construct the most efficient model bridge using limited materials—balsa wood, thread and glue. The lightest bridges that carry the greatest loads are ultimately named the winners.
Prize donations were made possible by the following businesses and organizations: SE Chapter Transportation Employee Association of Missouri, Southeast Coalition for Roadway Safety, Bacon Farmer Workman Engineering & Testing, Cape Girardeau Noon Optimist, SE Chapter of Missouri Society of Professional Engineers, and Three Rivers College.
MoDOT also partnered with Arkansas State University, University of Missouri-Columbia, Southeast Missouri State University, Missouri University of Science and Technology, and Southern Illinois University to offer seniors interested in civil engineering up to $10,000 in scholarships.
“We are very pleased to have 28 area schools participating in this year’s competition,” said MoDOT Senior Highway Designer Anita Clark. “In addition to giving students an opportunity to win prizes, our goal is for students to gain an appreciation of STEM careers — specifically engineering.”
The Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Southeast Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety were on hand during the competition to discuss the importance of buckling up with the Seat Belt Convincer, which simulates how it feels to be in a traffic crash.