Bridge Break 2025

Every year since 1978 (almost 50 years) I have been involved with teaching Middle School and High School kids how to build balsa wood bridges.  This last Saturday we broke 26 bridges built by students. We have given awards to the students who’s bridge held the most weight (this year one held over 600 pounds), the bridge that is the most efficient (high load to weight of bridge), and most innovative bridge.

This year Cambridge Christian Middle School had a bridge that weighed 108 grams (less than 1/4 pound) carry 292 pounds force!
Newsome High School (Lithia) had a bridge that also weighed 108 grams but it carried a load of 659 pounds! A record for all almost 50 years of the contest!

https://www.usfselmonbridgebuilding.com

 

Dr. Haber was our MC this year. He is our USF contact.
I am in the middle operating one of the computers, Ralph Painter is on my left.
The winning bridge.
The awards to be given out (me talking on the microphone).
Students who made bridges (I think High School)
I think Middle School students who made bridges. Isaac Washingto is in the front row of the seats in the green shirt (black hair), he is a Senior at USF and did most of the work this year putting the competition together.