LOCK HAVEN - High school students put their scientific learning to the test in a regional bridge building competition hosted by Lock Haven University on May 19.
The object of the competition was to provide a hands-on learning experience in which high school students could demonstrate their understanding of scientific and engineering skills in forming mechanical structures-in this case, bridges. Seven teams from Central Mountain High School participated in the competition.
Dr. Marian Tzolov, associate professor of physics and chair of the Bridge Competition Organizing Committee, explained the purpose of the competition.
"LHU wishes to facilitate the integration of science and engineering-related activities into the high school curriculum," he said.
Materials for building the bridges were provided to the high schools by the Lock Haven University physics program.
The students were organized into teams to design and build one bridge per team. Then, on May 19, Lock Haven University hosted a bridge-testing competition.
The students were able to interact and share their experiences as they tested the efficiency of their bridges. All bridges were tested until they collapsed and the last bridge standing was declared the winner. The event closed with a competition honoring the winning team, Aminish Chavan and Jake Bowman from Central Mountain High School.
"It was a great event," said Dr. Tzolov. "All of the students were very excited and I believe they did a very good job."
The teams from Central Mountain High School were as follows:
Team One: Devon J. Rinehart, Jordan Dean Suter and Charles Haines; Team Two: Gage Hoy and Ross Jones; Team Three: Nate Bechdel and Cameron Porter; Team 4: Aminish Chavan and Jake Bowman; Team Five: Peter Edgyed and Loc Long; Team Six: Dustin Ballat, Zack Zimmerman, Max Webb and Micah Powers; Team Seven: Chadd Miller, Reed Willar and Dylan Geraty. They were accompanied by their teacher Frederick R. Hoy.
