Polk County Middle School’s model bridge building team is headed to Friday’s state championship after winning the Waynesville Regional competition in March, keeping alive hopes of capturing the school’s seventh state title in the event.
The team will compete Friday morning at the NCDOT state competition in Raleigh, returning to the tournament where they finished second last year 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 team is coached by PCMS STEM teacher Leslie Rhinehart.
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.
The comprehensive evaluation requires students to demonstrate skills in engineering design, technical communication, mathematical calculation and public speaking. Teams must design and build bridges that are both structurally sound and efficient while also effectively communicating their design process and decisions.
