Bridge Building at Shetland College 27th March 2012
Aith sent two teams to the 2012 Shetland Bridge Building Competition at Shetland College. There
were 11 teams from different secondary schools in Shetland. Each team had 4 S2 pupils.
After a briefing, work started at 10am and continued until 1.30pm. The teams had a working lunch
as all the time was required in order to complete the bridge.
Students were given a print out of the span and location of test point and are asked to draw their
bridge design using pencils.
Students ‘purchased’ materials for constructing the bridge. Then they built their bridge using hot
melt glue.
The bridges were load tested to destruction by lecturers.
The winning bridges were:
Most efficient – weight carried divided by cost Sandwick
Bonniest bridge Mid Yell
Best teamwork Aith (team 2)
Two teams from Aith.
Aith team 2: Sam, Adrian, Leon and Craig. Cost over £7000 (the most expensive of the 11) and could
hold 4kg before breaking.
This team won the award for best teamwork shown amongst the 11 groups.
Everybody was fully occupied and contributing equally during the planning and building.
The winners of the best teamwork category with their pens.
4 young penslingers.
Aith team 1: Lachlan, Willum, Tom and Quentin. Bridge cost over £6000 and held 28 Kg before
breaking. This team were in the running for most efficient bridge.
Planning the design whilst “trying to look cool”
Bridge taking shape over a working lunch.