WALLA WALLA, Wash. –Volunteers with the Walla Walla District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, partnered with DeSales Catholic High School, to hold a competition on Feb. 23, 2016 in celebration of National Engineers week (Feb.22-26). Students had 20 minutes to construct a paper tower, as part of their curriculum, as well as encouraging an interest in engineering. Teams received points based on the height of their tower and the amount of weight it could hold without collapsing.
"I enjoy these activities each year," said Nancy Rose, the principal at DeSales Catholic High School. “This is a great opportunity to have the students work together to accomplish a goal.
In total 69 students gathered in the gymnasium in teams of two or three. To qualify for a passing grade the competition towers had to reach the minimum height requirement of 18 inches, and be constructed of no more than 25 sheets of paper. Once the build was complete, students began placing weights on their towers to see what they could hold.
A freshman team scored highest in the competition with a cumulative score of a more than 15 points. By the end of the 20 minute time limit their tower reached 26 inches in height, and was able to hold 26 half pound weights before finally collapsing. Team members Andrew Balderas, Mac Wahl and Jake Wylie were congratulated, along with second, third and fourth place winners upon conclusion of the competition.
“Engineering can provide a lot of great opportunities,” said Electrical Design Chief Jeffery Lyon. “If you like working in a group, solving real world problems, then engineering may be your path,” he continued.
The Corps hopes that this, and other competitions being hosted across the U.S. for National Engineers week will encourage students to strive for engineering and technical degrees in the near future.
National Engineers Week was founded in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers. It's always celebrated at the time of George Washington's birthday. Our nation's first president was a military engineer and a land surveyor. Every year, the Nation’s engineers take a week to highlight the practice and accomplishments of engineers to show what can be done with a little science and imagination. For more information about National Engineers Week, go online to www.discovere.org.
For more information about the Walla Walla District, visit our website at www.nww.usace.army.mil.
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