Governor Makes Surprise Visit to Model Bridge Competition by
Two Wake County Teams Advance to State Finals RALEIGH – Governor Roy Cooper today surprised local students by visiting the 18th annual Model Bridge Building Competition, sponsored by the N.C. Department of Transportation. “We have bridges all over the state that need to be tested and bridges that need to be repaired,” said Cooper. “I am grateful for your teachers who are teaching you. We need engineers, and hopefully, you will become engineers.” Franklin Academy of Wake Forest won top honors in the high school competition. N.C. State MSEN Pre-College of Wake County took first place among middle schools. The event features teams of students who design and build model bridges that are weight-tested by NCDOT engineers. Designs and presentations are judged by a panel of engineers from NCDOT and private-sector companies. The competition provides students with a hands-on opportunity to apply their science, technology, engineering and math skills to a real-world scenario. “Because of the bridge competition, I’m able to get kids interested in a STEM career,” said Franklin Academy calculus teacher Pamela Koloustroubis. “STEM careers make possible the technology and infrastructure that improves our quality of life.” The two first place teams, along with the winners from other regional events held in Morganton, Asheboro and Kinston, will compete in the state finals in Raleigh on April 28. To learn more about the competition check out the Model Bridge Building event video on YouTube, or contact event organizer Sterling Johnson at scjohnson@ncdot.gov. Cutline: Governor Cooper with students at the Regional NCDOT Model Bridge Building Competition in Raleigh. Video of Governor Cooper’s remarks and b-roll from the competition is available online. ***NCDOT***
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