New Haven, CT (April 2, 2001)  -  On April 6, 2001, the Yale Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) will host what it hopes to be the start of a continuing tradition between its chapter and New Haven middle schools -  its first annual Bridge Building Competition. This Friday, Yale will welcome approximately 60 students in fifth through eighth grades from Fair Haven Middle School, The Gan School, Sacred Heart, Troupe Middle School and Conte West Hills Middle School. The competition will be the culmination of two weeks of preparation by the students.

            During these two weeks, each of the eight teams consisting of 5 to 8 students, studied and designed bridges in preparation for their own task  -- building a bridge consisting of tongue depressors and glue. The students will present their bridges at Becton Engineering Building at 3:30 PM before a panel of judges consisting of professors from the Yale’s Engineering Department. Judges will judge each team on a presentation about their bridge, the bridge’s aesthetics and, most importantly, its efficiency.

            In addition to the competition itself, the students will tour Yale’s Engineering facilities. They will also observe some of the projects and experiments currently in progress in the laboratories. NSBE at Yale hopes the whole experience will expose students to the sciences and encourage them to pursue careers in science and engineering.  

The President of Yale’s chapter of National Society of Black Engineers, Syrena Mckenzie says of the event:  "From the very beginning of the year our chapter has wanted to do something beyond Yale that would challenge young minds of New Haven. Through the competition we saw a way to give budding scientists a taste of the engineering world and immediately jumped on the idea.  We are very excited and hope that this process will end up being as much fun for the students as it has been for us."

   NESBEY members
   with Dean Feury
 

    NESBEY