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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Work on the Deh Cho Bridge has mostly halted for the winter months, but an engineering association is encouraging students and adults to try their hand at bridge construction.

Jenson Hu poses with his winning entry in last year's NAPEG model bridge building competition. His bridge is mounted in the custom built testing machine, ready for the strength test. - photo courtesy of John Schnell

The NWT Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists (NAPEG) is again hosting its annual model bridge building competition in March.

John Schnell, NAPEG member and event organizer, is putting out the call for all budding engineers and architects across the territory to enter the competition.

"It's a great way to create interest in young people for mathematics and science," said Schnell, who is already preparing his own entry into the competition. There are five age groups, including three for elementary and high school students, one category for the general public, and one for professional engineers. Students and the general public compete for cash prizes, but the engineers compete for the pure glory of beating out their peers.

The bridges must be built from Popsicle sticks provided by NAPEG and white glue. They must weigh 600g or less, and there are size restrictions as well.

Schnell said the entries are judged on several factors, mainly strength. The bridges are balanced over two supports and a force is applied and measured to the top of the bridge. With a homemade device, Schnell is able to record the exact weight placed on the bridge at the moment of collapse. They can apply up to half a ton of weight on the bridge.

"It's really, really amazing how some of these lightweight bridges that weigh a pound or less can support hundreds of pounds," said Schnell.

But strength alone will not win this competition. Schnell said that about five years ago a team from Fort Good Hope built a bridge he could not break.

"At that time we had it supported on a folding table and it actually buckled the table legs," he said.

Still, that team did not win in their category because of their bridge's weight. Schnell said there is a "somewhat complex" formula used by the judges that takes into account strength and weight. The formula gives them a number called the strength factor.

Bridges are also judged on aesthetics. A well-built symmetrical bridge that is neatly constructed will score more points than one that is uneven with glue dripping from the seams.

"If the builder has an artistic flair they can incorporate that into the bridge as well," said Schnell.

The competition this year will be on Mar. 7, although the location of the event has not been finalized. Schnell said the competition takes on the atmosphere of a sporting event, with suspense and tension as the bridges are tested.

"It's quite an exciting time and when the bridges snap and break the kids get really excited," he said.

Wayne Guy of Guy Architects in Yellowknife has entered the competition in the past and he is planning to enter again this year.

Guy said his entire firm treats the project as a bit of on the job recreation.

"We always have a blast doing it," he said.

He said his team usually focuses on building a strong bridge and find that the beauty emerges from a functional design. They often look to nature for their inspiration.

Guy said his two daughters have entered the competition in the past. He said it is great to see youth taking part in a competition that lends excitement to the sciences and mathematics. He would like to see more local professions take the time to enter this year, just for the pure enjoyment of it.

"I think a lot of firms have their nose to the grindstone and they don't often revel in the little pleasures like this," said Guy.