Engineers from the city of Santa Clarita worked together with elementary students from West Creek Academy to complete a hands-on Popsicle bridge challenge, according to a press release from city officials.

The collaboration, known as the “Bridge Design Challenge,” was designed to inspire fourth graders to get excited about engineering.  

“Our outreach efforts are intended to show kids the value of a future career in engineering, architecture, or construction…and why it may be worth considering as they grow and prepare for college,” said Ruben Barrera, a city building official. “Ultimately, the plan is to make the ‘Bridge Design Challenge’ a wider competition amongst multiple schools.

The bridges were put to the test during “Bridge Breaking” day on June 2, according to Mayumi Miyasato, a communications specialist for the city.

Engineers from the city’s building and safety division have served as judges for the competition for the last six years.

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The activity was offered as part of the school’s STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) Pathway Program’s Engineering is Elementary (EiE) curriculum.

Teachers worked with students to discuss the principles of basic bridge design and later challenged students to work in teams to apply their knowledge of balance, forces and civil engineering as they built their own bridges while meeting competition design guidelines and rules.

Student bridges were tested by being balanced between tables and loaded with books.

City engineers also used the day to share information about what engineers do in a way that was “fun, interesting and participative,” according to the press release.

Ed Note: This article is a press release provided by the city of Santa Clarita.