Sixty pupils from Years 9 and 10 came to University of Wales Newport recently for the First Campus and Parsons Brinckerhoff 'Bridge Building Challenge.'

Mark Glendinning, an Engineer in Civil Structures and Geotechnics from Engineering Firm Parsons Brinckerhoff, delivered a short presentation about engineering and specifically, bridge design.  

Then working in groups of four, the pupils were set the challenge of building a bridge with a standard set of materials, such as: bricks, drinking straws, cotton, cellotape, paper, paper clips and garden canes.  The youngsters could buy more materials from the 'Construction Yard' to help their structures. 

Mark and his colleagues Tom and Chris were on hand to offer assistance if required.  The end results were judged on: cost, aesthetics, deflection and strength, as well as the ability to transport a vehicle from one side to the other. 

The pupils and teachers had a fabulous day and the course content helped to develop key skills such as team work, communication and problem solving, as well as enabling the pupils to use their knowledge of engineering to build their bridge.

Only one of the pupils had been to a university before, so as well as learning about engineering the day helped to break down barriers and enabled the young people to get to know a university campus. 

For more information, please contact;
Liz Bailey, Schools' Officer, University of Wales Newport,
Tel | Ffon : (01633) 432151   Fax | Ffacs : (01633) 432998