KANIVA College has won an national bridge building competition for the ninth year a row.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Aurecon Bridge Building Competition involves making bridges from icy pole sticks and glue, and testing the weight the bridge can withstand.
Year 9 students William Braunstein, Levi Goodwin and Matthew Hicks were involved in this year’s competition.
Teacher David Staehr said the team’s bridge withstood 438 kilograms and the school won $1000.
He said there were changes to this year’s competition that meant different materials had to be used and changes to how the prizes were awarded.
”The balsa sticks that have been a part of the competition materials for the past 11 years have been replaced with icy pole sticks,” he said.
“The glue has also been changed from fast drying Araldite to slower drying PVA.
Mr Staehr said awards were presented to the bridge with the best strength-to-weight-ratio, the best all-rounder team and the most innovative and create team.
Kaniva College won the best all-rounder award.
Mr Staehr said the students were excited to win the competition again.
“It was unknown how our bridge would go until it was tested because of the new materials but we were surprised with the weight it supported,” he said.
Mr Staehr said this year’s competition was a challenge.
“Because we had to use icy pole sticks, it was a much longer process to make the bridge,” he said.
“It took about two to three times longer to create.”
Mr Staehr said the students also took home $100 each.