FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 18, 2013
Contact: Darrel Berry, Marketing Communications Manager
Hanson Professional Services Inc.
(217) 747-9291
dberry@hanson-inc.com
Hanson employees to participate in ISPE’s annual student bridge design contest
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — In recognition of National Engineers Week Feb. 17 through Feb. 23, Hanson Professional Services Inc. employees will participate in the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers (ISPE) Capital Chapter’s 35th annual bridge design contest at 6 p.m. Feb. 22 at White Oaks Mall in Springfield. Jared Thoele, EIT, an engineer intern serving Hanson’s infrastructure market, is a co-chair and judge for this event.
The contest will feature 30 model bridges — constructed from manila folders, carpenter’s wood glue and rubber cement — designed and built by high school students from Springfield, Morrisonville, Pleasant Plains, Riverton and Waverly. Students, who may enter as teams or individuals, have had two months to plan, design and construct their bridges. The structures must meet dimensional requirements such as height, span and weight and will be evaluated on innovation, creativity, originality, load-weight ratio and neatness. Students will receive cash prizes for first-, second- and third-place entries as well as awards for the best-constructed and most innovative bridges.
ISPE will display the bridges and showcase local engineering projects from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 22 at White Oaks Mall. Hanson engineers and ISPE members will volunteer throughout the day in the exhibit area, which also will include a computer area where students can design a bridge using professional bridge-design software. Judging of the bridges’ load-weight ratio will begin at 6 p.m. Judges will determine the load-weight ratio of each bridge by using a specialized load-press machine that is owned by Hanson. Rich Berning, a civil engineering consultant and former city engineer for Springfield, will serve as master of ceremonies during the judging program.
“This contest allows students to research engineering principles, use their creativity and ingenuity to design a model bridge and work as a team. We encourage students to work in teams because it mirrors real-world engineering practices,” Thoele says.
National Engineers Week, sponsored by the National Engineers Week Foundation, celebrates engineers’ contributions to society through various programs, including Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, Future City Competition and DiscoverE Outreach.
ISPE, established in 1886, is a professional association representing the interests of more than 2,500 engineer members from all fields of practice. Headquartered in Springfield, ISPE includes among its membership licensed professional engineers, licensed structural engineers, licensed land surveyors, engineer interns, graduate engineers and engineering students.
Hanson is a national, employee-owned consulting firm providing engineering, architecture, planning and allied services. The firm’s corporate headquarters is located at 1525 S. Sixth St., Springfield, IL 62703. The office may be reached by phone: (217) 788-2450 or fax: (217) 788-2503.
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