Bridge-building competition to mark engineers week

For the past several years EFC Engineers and Architects has been visiting elementary, junior high, and high schools in the CNMI during the last week of February in commemoration of National Engineers Week.

This year, EFC Engineers and Architects has planned a different forum to commemorate National Engineers Week, as it has organized a balsa wood bridge-building contest for all CNMI schools.

Four divisions are identified for the contest: Elementary 1 (grades 1-3), Elementary 2 (grades 4-6), Junior High (grades 7-8 or 9), and High School (grades 9-12).

EFC Engineers and Architects will be providing the bridge-building kit and contest rules. The students are to construct their bridge to the required dimensions and bring their bridge to the Multi-Purpose Center this coming Saturday, Feb. 26, for judging. Bridges will be judged on appearance, neatness, dimensions, and load bearing capacity.

In addition to the balsa wood bridge-building contest, EFC Engineers and Architects has also contacted various government agencies and private firms to participate by providing an exhibit or hands-on display of the type of engineering they are involved with.

For example, the Division of Environmental Quality has indicated that they will have an exhibit on environmental/sanitary engineering.

EFC Engineers and Architects will provide a CADD station for the students to see how designs are created on the computer. In the demonstration, the mechanics of a hydraulic jump will be explained, a Lego area for younger children is also planned, and the Boy Scouts will present their pinewood derby racetrack.

Other governmental agencies expected to join the exhibit include Department of Public Works, Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, and Coastal Resource Management Office. Private firms that indicated their participation are Henry K Pangelinan and Associates, SSFM and Geotesting.

EFC Engineers and Architects said the nation celebrates National Engineers Week to honor the nation’s first engineer, who most people don’t know is George Washington, the first President of the United States.

“Engineers are the world’s problem solvers: they are practical inventors who use science and technology to turn ideas into reality.” according to a media release from EFC Engineers and Architects.

Some 35,000 engineers throughout the U.S. will reach more than three million students and teachers.

The venue for the contest and exhibit is the Multi-Purpose Center on Feb. 26, 2005 from 9 am to 12 pm. This exhibit is open to the public, but in particular it is intended for all students in the CNMI. (PR)