The Missouri Department of Transportation will test nearly 200 bridges entered into its 21st Annual Bridge Building Competition on Thursday next week at Southeast Missouri State University. The competition challenges high school juniors and seniors to design and construct the most efficient model bridge using limited materials—balsa wood, string and glue.
Prizes donated by area businesses and organizations will be awarded to the top bridge building winners, as well as for the most aesthetic bridge and the electronic bridge building contest. Similar to previous years, cash prizes will be given to the top five schools with the best overall performance.
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-Carbondale to offer seniors interested in civil engineering up to $10,000 in scholarships.