Press Release: 05-04-2012

A group of Waukegan High School students have constructed a scaled-down version of a functional, state-of-the-art bridge as part of a state grant.

Fourteen students from WHS presented their nearly seven-foot “Bridge to the Future” to officials with the Illinois Department of Transportation during a special event at the Illinois Math and Science Academy in Aurora on May 1. The bridge, which was constructed out of PVC foam plastic and balsa wood, is a 1/64 replica of 244- foot suspension bridge.

WHS students worked on the bridge over several months, with the help of a $5,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Economic Development. The grant was part of a state-wide initiative to inspire students to immerse themselves in problem-based learning focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics challenges.

Students spent countless hours studying bridge designs and integrity, including taking field trips to several bridge sites in Lake and McHenry counties. Armed with the knowledge gained through their field research, the students returned to school to continue to explore issues associated with bridge design, materials, as well as environmental considerations. In the next few months, they created seven different bridge designs. The final design was a combination of the best of the designs that the students created and discussed during their work.

WHS students involved in the bridge project are: Gilberto Colin, Mariana Garcia, Jacob Grieder, Eduardo Guadarrama, Jacqueline Guzman, Arturo Martinez, Javier Martinez, Melissa Milan, Melina Millan, Javier Morales, Frida Muro, Leslie Parra, Maria Roman and Lety Vara.

Email Contact: nalajakis@wps60.org

Students present their bridge design at the Illinois Math and Science Academy.