05/01/2026
Results are in! Efe Vveds College Express DACC Manufacturing Technology students competed in a balsa wood bridge building competition.
First Place, winning a $30 gift card to Penn Station, Salt Fork High School Student Zander Swanson. His bridge held the most weight, following the guidelines and specifications.
Second Place, winning a $20 gift card to Penn Station, Salt Fork High School student Steven Gound.
Third Place, winning a $10 gift card to Penn Station, Westville School District #2 student Brayden Neukirch.
I have to mention Hoopeston Area School District student Fernando Rivera, his bridge had the best efficiency rating, meaning his bridge held the most weight, versus the weight of his bridge. Fernando didn't cash in the competition, but he did receive his choice of t shirt.
This exercise provides students with some architectural freedom to build a bridge, combining their visual design and to understand load distribution, within the specification limits, and to test their design against their classmates.