Bridge Building Contest Kit

Cutting Edge Construction and Physical Engineering

Applying physics concepts to construction in a contest setting, students create a variety of different bridges — including beam, truss, and arch styles. With each build, students learn about the forces and stresses their creations must endure and develop a greater understanding of structural integrity and the physics of bridge construction. The added motivation of a national competition encourages students to thoroughly research and design the most structurally sound bridges.

These contest kits, developed in partnership with Brookhaven National Laboratories, and aligned with national standards, are available in two versions to meet the specific needs of your classroom and students. The basswood version is designed primarily for high school students. The straw building kit is ideal for introducing middle school students to the basics of design and structure without the safety concerns of sharp instruments or glue. Both sets include materials for 5 student groups.