Bridge Building Timeline

• Two months before contest
• Decide if you want to work as part of a team of two or if you prefer to work by yourself.
• Make some preliminary sketches of designs that appeal to you: discuss with your teacher.
• View slides and web photos of previous entries.
• Test out the West Point Bridge Designer software (download for home use if you wish).

• One month before contest
• Get some basic tools: a balsa saw, good carpenter's glue, a clamp or two, some sandpaper.
• Buy your wood: the earlier the better. Buy three to four weeks before the contest, if not earlier.
• Make a reasonably accurate sketch of your proposed design on 1/4" graph paper.

• Three weeks before contest
• Begin construction by cutting your balsa segments.
• Begin gluing your balsa segments. Clamp where possible and provide adequate drying time.
• Remove excess glue with sandpaper.

• One week before contest
• Aim to have your bridge finished five days before the contest so that you earn weigh-in points.
• Excess weight can be reduced through removal of pieces, sanding and/or drying with a hair dryer.
• Clearly write your official team number (12nnnn or 11nnnn) on both sides of your bridge.
• Present bridge for preliminary weigh-in the Friday before the contest for maximum weigh-in score.
• Present bridge for weigh-in the day before the contest for a reduced weigh-in score.