Toothpick Bridge Contest

On February 23rd and 24th, the ASCE SunCoast Branch teamed up with other local area societies to host the 13th Annual Toothpick Bridge Building Contest at the G-WIZ Hands-on Science Center and at the DeSoto Square Mall.  This contest was for any middle or high school student in the Sarasota or Manatee County area.    In support of "Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day" during National Engineers Week, almost half of the entries were girls! 

Each bridge was weighed, inspected, measured and photographed prior to having it tested with a modified hydraulic jack simulating a load.  Over the 2-day contest, more than 300 bridges were crushed and 24 winners were determined.  Each winner received a free dinner, trophy, t-shirt and cash prize at the Awards Dinner held on for March 5, 2002. 

More than 20 ASCE SunCoast Branch members promoted Civil Engineering by volunteering at the various stations and provided strategies for modifying their bridge design for next year's competition.  As shown in the pictures, brochures, posters and signs throughout the contest, ASCE's support of the event was evident.