Chloe-Ana Braidy
London Bridge is falling down… and so were bridges at Saint Leo. The School of Arts and Sciences hosted their Bridge Breaking Contest on Oct 26 in the Selby Auditorium. This is an annual event focused on testing the limits of bridges made from popsicle sticks constructed by the students. The Majority of the bridges created were done so by physics and engineering students, but the competition was open to the entire Saint Leo community and beyond.
Participants were tasked to create bridges out of 200 popsicle sticks and glue, limited to a length of one meter, taking into consideration design and how strong they will be to withstand weight and pressure. The event began with the coordinator, Dr. Shawn Weatherford who is an associate professor of physics at the University, providing the audience with an explanation of the event.
Bridges were placed on top of two cement bricks propped between two tables and were tested there. A metal hook was attached to the middle of the bridge base, and granite was poured into a bucket hanging from the attached hook. When the bridges broke from pressure, they were placed on a scale, which measured in newtons.
Bridges were judged based both on design and how much weight and pressure they could withstand. This contest was developed and introduced to the campus in 2011, this being its 6th installment, for the purpose of allowing students to have a hands-on group experience for applying physics principles to a problem. It allows students to develop critical thinking skills, in addition to applying principles learned in the classroom.
Dr. Weatherford expounded further on the importance of the project and the effect it had on the students. He explained that even though it is a mandatory event for students in one of the physics courses, there were also several volunteers. He expressed that he encouraged students who were required to complete it, that it should be something that is not only educational but also something that should provide a form of entertainment.
Weatherford also enthused about the dexterity of the project, stating “It takes students a long time to do this, it isn’t a one night ‘Bridge-a-thon.’ The bridges will not dry in time. It requires time, patience and experimenting.”
Weatherford also spoke about the progression of the quality of and quantity of the audience and the bridges.
“I have seen a progression in the quality of the bridges significantly, they have really taken design into consideration. The bridges have been withstanding more and more pressure over the years,” said Weatherford.
The event was a smashing success. Events such as Bridge Breaking are important to the Saint Leo community. They harness a student’s talents and allow them to apply concepts learned in class to a real-world problem.
