November 15, 2012

Students put their knowledge into practice at the annual bridge building competition at MHC last Thursday. Twenty first-year engineering students and five computer-aided drafting and design (CADD) students were tasked with building bridges out of Popsicle sticks and putting their designs to the test under the pressure of a hydraulic press. This year’s event was the largest ever with a record number of 21 designs entered in the competition.
 
CADD student Chris Lecuyer walked away with first and third place honours for his bridge designs. In addition to gaining valuable experience, the event also provided Lecuyer and other students with an opportunity to network with local engineering professionals.
 
"This event gives the students a hands-on experience with the concepts that they are learning in their classes and facilitates a positive relationship between local industry and the college, students and professionals," said Clay Bos, coordinator of the CADD/Technical Illustration program.
 
The event has evolved over the years to build bridges in the community as well. Hydraco Industries built and donated the hydraulic press used for testing the bridges and the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) has been a sponsor of the event for several years.