Bridges to Schools
Bridges to Schools was launched in New Zealand in 2021.
The programme sees a child-sized cable-stayed bridge broken down into sections and taken to schools across Aotearoa. Volunteers explain the bridge and some engineering basics to the kids, before helping them to put the bridge together, testing their engineering understanding as they go. It’s a fun and engaging way to spark kids’ interest in civil engineering and STEM careers.
Bridges to Schools is an Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) international programme, brought to New Zealand by the local ICE as well as sponsors Fletcher Construction, AUT, Altus, PlaceMakers and Easysteel.
The Year 7 students and teachers would like to thank Mr Peter Leyden, one of our parents and Board members, for initiating the schools involvement in the programme and for doing the training required to run the programme. Mr Leyden ran the programme with three groups of Year 7 students over the day on Thursday 8 August.
Bridges for school!
On the 1st of August, Year 7 split into 3 groups of about 20 people. In each of the blocks one group would go up to the hall to construct a wire bridge. It takes teamwork and concentration to make the bridge sturdy and strong. First we put on bright orange vests and white hard hats. Next we had color coded pieces of wire that we connected to our starting base with a bolt and wrench. When we had done that we connected the color coded platforms to the wire. But we had to be careful because we didn’t want to connect the wrong one. We had to put in a little metal pieces to hold the wooden platforms together. The final platform was the hardest because we had to connect it differently than all the other ones. Everyone had to help otherwise it wouldn't work properly. Two people had to screw in the nails while the others held onto the bridge so that it wouldn't fall onto them, and so that it was easier to put in the nail. Once we finished we all played paper scissors rock on the bridge, and took a photo with all the Year 7s together. After all that we had to take it all apart and put everything away. Overall this was an amazing experience and I would gladly do it again.
By Skye A, Room 19
