The AASHTO Annual National Bridge Challenge is a national competition designed to address the transportation workforce crisis by promoting an interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The program enhances math and science instruction and introduces students to engineering through hands-on, real-world applications. The competition is open to students from 7th to 12th grade within the participating STEM Outreach Solution States.

Eighteen student teams met at the 2024 AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) Spring Meeting in Madison, Wisconsin to compete in the AASHTO Annual National Bridge Challenge. The teams represented schools from California, Maryland, Michigan, and Mississippi. 

These teams were selected from 238 team applications, composed of three students and an advisor. To participate, all applicants had the challenge of completing an engineering portfolio. The portfolios were reviewed by judges and eighteen teams emerged as finalists. The finalist teams presented their projects and tested their bridges’ strength-to-weight ratio during the finals that were held on April 24.

The competition consists of five phases:

1.        Design bridges utilizing Model Smart and Bentley software
2.        Build a physical model of a bridge
3.        Develop a portfolio
4.        Conduct a presentation for a panel of judges
5.        Test their bridge’s strength-to-weight ratio  

To see the competition in action in this quick highlight video below: