Physics lessons are put to the test at Case Western Reserve University’s Balsa Bridge Competition and Cardinal High School students more than make the grade! Cardinal had both the first and second place teams in the competition. The winning team of Faith B., Anna F. and Sierra K. constructed a bridge that held 500 pounds and had a strength ratio of 780.5, which means it held 780.5 times its own weight. The second place team of Avila G., Ashley L. and Christa L. constructed a bridge that held 366 pounds and had a strength ratio of 566.7.
“The students did a wonderful job and this experience is very rewarding because it combines facets of engineering, physics and mathematics (STEM) into one project,” says Cardinal High School Physics teacher Dave Bronson. “I hope it was rewarding for them to build something with their hands, see it tested, understand the scientific principles behind it, and it is something that they can be proud of.”
Balsa wood bridge projects are common teaching tools, particularly in science and engineering classes. The overall goal is to construct a bridge that can withstand the greatest weight before it falls. Cardinal teams competing in the competition researched and designed their balsa bridge based on the information they received in physics class. After their research, they brainstormed and sketched a rough draft of their ideas. A consensus was reached among their groups and then they made a detailed 1:1 scale blueprint template of their side, top, and bottom views. These templates were used for the students to work from to cut their ¼” balsa at specific angles and lengths.
Although Cardinal has been highly successful over the 7 years it has attended the Balsa Bridge competition, this year was by far the best. Cardinal sent 12 teams to the contest and all of them finished in the top 50%. Six Cardinal teams placed in the Top 10, including first and second place. In all, there were 128 teams in the competition. This was the first time a Cardinal team constructed a bridge that beat the machine that tests their strength. The members of the winning team will receive a $100 cash prize for their design.
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