Polk County Middle School’s model bridge building team came tantalizingly close to capturing the school’s seventh state championship Friday, finishing second at the NCDOT State Model Bridge Building Competition in Raleigh.
Hilburn Academy, located in Raleigh, took first place in the competition. PCMS was honored for having the most creative skit among all competing teams, recognizing the team’s presentation skills alongside its engineering expertise.
The team earned its spot at the state championship by winning the Waynesville Regional competition in March. Friday’s second-place finish marks the second consecutive year PCMS has finished as state runner-up. Last year, the team lost by less than a point to Elm City Middle School.
Team members include Clayton Mauldin, Keats Behan, Kaiden Kitchen, Haley Contreras, Clara Parris, Theisen Gerst, Jasper Clark and Chase Jackson.
The NCDOT competition, held in partnership with Carolinas Associated General Contractors and the American Council of Engineering Companies of North Carolina, has encouraged students since 2000 to develop math and science skills used in transportation, construction and engineering careers.
Teams are evaluated on four components: oral presentation, written report, design drawing and bridge efficiency. The efficiency score is calculated by multiplying 0.10 by the weight carried in grams, divided by the bridge’s weight in grams. The final score combines the efficiency score with points awarded for presentation, report and drawing components.
