By Mary O’KEEFE

Physics, construction, science, creativity and mathematics are just a few of the attributes used by physics students at Clark Magnet High School when they competed in the Build A Better Bridge contest.

The challenge for the students was to build a bridge made out of basswood and glue. Students were judged on design and strength.

Prior to each challenge, physics teacher Gerald Gruss held up the entrant’s bridge so students could see the design. The bridge was suspended between two desks and a bucket holding some foundational weights was attached to the bridge, then one-by-one weights of one kilogram were placed into the bucket. Around the room whispers of “Oh, no” and “How much will it hold?” was heard. Some students giggled and others held their breath as the number of weights increased. At each placement, the bridge builder covered his or her eyes or held up their hands in an invisible support of their creation. Then the final weight would be placed, whether it was the eighth or 13th, and the sound was heard of splintering wood.

Midway through the competition it appeared 13 weights were going to be the maximum a bridge could hold, but then came Melanie Mesropian’s bridge. Before the competition, Mesropian was presented the Best Design Award. Then came the weights. Students counted as the weights climbed past 13 with the final weight added before breaking the bridge was 24 kilograms, equaling 53 pounds.

“The bridge only weighed one ounce, but held 824 times its own weight,” Gruss said.

  Mary Okeefe