Southeast Missouri Students Showcase Engineering Skills at MoDOT’s 22nd Annual Bridge Building Competition

Park Hills, Mo. (KFMO) - Southeast Missouri high school students spent weeks designing and perfecting their model bridges before putting them to the test during the Missouri Department of Transportation’s 22nd Annual Bridge Building Competition, held November 12.

The long-running event challenges high school juniors and seniors to build the most efficient bridge possible using limited materials, balsa wood, thread, and glue. Their goal is to create a lightweight structure capable of supporting substantial weight.

This year, Ste. Genevieve High School claimed first place for best overall performance. The Perryville Area Career and Technology Center finished second, while Chaffee High School earned third place.

Several students were also recognized individually for constructing the lightest bridges that successfully carried the heaviest loads. The top five winners were:

1st – Sam Kuehn, Perryville Area Career & Technology Center

2nd – Linley Wehner, Ste. Genevieve High School

3rd – Grant Wolk, Ste. Genevieve High School

4th – Chase Reed, Perryville Area Career & Technology Center

5th – Gavin Gegg, Ste. Genevieve High School

MoDOT also presented special awards, including Most Aesthetic Bridge, awarded to Kyrah Kreitler of Ste. Genevieve High School. In the computer-based electronic bridge competition, Dylan Jansen of Leopold High School earned first place.

Cash prizes for all categories were donated by regional engineering and civic organizations, including BFW/Marcum Engineering and Consulting, Cape Area Engineers Club, Cape Noon Optimist Club, the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers, and the Rotary Club of Southeast Missouri Service. Additionally, MoDOT partnered with Arkansas State University and the University of Missouri-Columbia to award one-time scholarships for top competitors planning to attend those universities.

The annual event not only highlights STEM education in the region but also encourages students to consider future careers in engineering, architecture, and transportation infrastructure.