AKE recently welcomed students from Shadow Ridge High School to our laboratory for a Bridge Testing Competition, giving them an opportunity to see engineering concepts applied in a real-world setting.
During the event, students observed as their model bridges were loaded to failure while AKE engineers explained the testing process, how structural performance is evaluated, and how the results relate to bridge design and engineering principles. Students also toured the laboratory and explored exhibits highlighting past engineering investigations.
“Providing students with opportunities to connect classroom concepts to real engineering applications helps make those lessons tangible,” said Joe Zbick, PE, Partner at AKE. “We were pleased to host Shadow Ridge High School and share how engineering principles are applied through testing and investigation.”
The competition gave students a firsthand look at structural testing while introducing them to the complexity of engineering, design, and failure analysis.
“It was rewarding to see the students engage with the testing process and ask thoughtful questions throughout the day,” said Todd Springer, PE, Partner at AKE. “We are grateful for the opportunity to support STEM education and encourage the next generation of engineers.”
Experiences like these help bridge the gap between classroom learning and the engineering profession, and AKE looks forward to welcoming more students into our lab to explore engineering and structural performance firsthand.
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