News Release Archive

Colorado High School Students will Test Science Skills at 47th Annual Colorado High School Bridge Building Competition

Media Contact: Lauren Meredith, 303-445-2945, lmeredith@usbr.gov

For Release: February 11, 2014

DENVER - Encouraging high school students to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics is crucial to furthering Colorado's education system. At the annual Colorado High School Bridge Building Competition, students from across the state will gather to test their engineering expertise on homemade, small-scale bridges and compete for a college scholarship at the national competition.

Students will test the strength of their model bridge designs starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Bureau of Reclamation's Materials, Engineering and Research Laboratory in Denver. These bridges, made out of basswood, glue and other basic materials, are judged on the amount of weight they can hold versus their size. Top winners in the competition qualify for prizes and the opportunity to advance to the international contest in Chicago.

In addition to the competition, attendees and their families will explore Reclamation's laboratories and facilities with professional engineers, getting a chance to see research and science in action. Students will be introduced to the humidity room, where working models of structures and dam construction materials are made, and will witness a 2,000 pound concrete cylinder crushed by a machine capable of 5 million pounds of pressure. Reclamation’s science and engineering expertise is known throughout the world, and this event allows young professionals the unique career opportunity to personally interact with Reclamation's technical specialists.

To attend this annual event, please enter the Denver Federal Center through Gate 1 on Kipling Ave. Signs will direct visitors to Building 56, where the competition is held.

The competition is a collaboration between the Bureau of Reclamation, the Professional Engineers of Colorado and the American Council of Engineering Companies of Colorado.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.