NZ high schools take on Australia in bridge-building battle

New Zealand high schools take on Australia in bridge-building battle

What: 108 students participating, 36 teams from 21 New Zealand schools, registered to compete in only national bridge building competition. Bridges built of balsa wood, string, cardboard and glue will be tested to destruction at the Te Papa Museum in Wellington and the Auckland Museum in Auckland. The bridge that bears the heaviest load will win and go on to find the overall winner from Australia & New Zealand.

Where: Te Papa Museum, Wellington - Auckland Museum, Auckland

When: Wellington: Wednesday, 3 August, 10.00am to 2.00pm Auckland: Friday, 5 August, 9.30am to 2.30pm

Why?

Aurecon, a global engineering company with offices throughout New Zealand, and our sponsor, the New Zealand Transport Agency want to inspire high school students to consider careers in engineering. With ongoing severe shortages of technical and engineering skills in New Zealand, the aim of the bridge building competition is to show students at an early stage, when they can still choose science and maths electives, that these subjects can be fun and challenging.

Competition reach

Across Australia and New Zealand in 2011, 234 schools, 334 teams and 1002 students are entering to compete in Bridge Building 2011

Who else is involved?

• Engineering consultant - Aurecon
• New Zealand Transport Agency - sponsor and Judging on the day
• Secondary Schools - across Australia and New Zealand

Opportunities for interview

• Students (and their teachers who are competing in Bridge Building 2011
• Ian Sloane, Technical Director, Transport, Aurecon

ENDS

© Scoop Media