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<\/a>Above are all the participants of PHS Bridge Bust showing their hand made bridges. They are preparing for the trip to Purdue to compete with other schools. Photo Provided by: Mrs. Lori McClellan<\/p><\/div>\n
By Katie Sommers<\/em><\/p>\n Students from Plymouth High School traveled to Purdue University on Friday, March 1 to participate in a competition for Bridge Bust. There are many different designs and styles of bridges that participants can design, but making the bridge hold enough weight is the tricky part. Freshman Zacc Hutchings said, \u201cMy dad helped me come up with an idea to build a truss\/arch [type of bridge] bridge because arches are the second strongest structure, just behind triangles.\u201d The bridges have sand placed on them and when the bridge breaks, the judges records the weight of the sand it held.<\/p>\n There are many benefits to participating in this event and organization. Learning teamwork, getting to visit a college, or getting some experience as an \u00a0architect through building are all \u00a0benefits of the Bridge Bust Competition. Adding to that, Junior Sommer McClellan said, \u201cThere are awards if you win the busting competition such as cash prizes, scholarships, and Purdue apparel.\u201d<\/p>\n Whether being involved in this organization for one year or four, all the members have enjoyed some part of the Bridge Bust Competition. Junior Nate Mahan said, \u201cThis is actually my first year and I enjoy the engineering experience that I get out it.\u201d On the other hand, Junior Emily Denney said she this is her second year and she enjoys watching the competition with the bridges that were made.<\/p>\n
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\nBridge Bust is an organization and activity that allows students to build model bridges with sticks and then compete in a competition to see which bridge can hold the most weight. Junior Makayla Fox said, \u201cIt is a competition in which you build a bridge out of balsa wood to certain specified measurements and bust the bridge. The placings are determined by and based upon the efficiency of your bridge that you build.\u201d<\/p>\n