2nd Annual California Bridge Building Competition

The PREP Foundation kicked off the new year on January 20th with the Second Annual California Bridge Building Competition held at California State University, Sacramento.  This year’s competition saw an increase in the number of schools participating thanks to our recent TRAC training in Los Angeles.

The event is modeled after AASHTO’s National Bridge and Structure Competition bringing middle and high school students together to provide Power Point presentations to distinguished industry judges and then to strength test their bridges on stage for cash prizes. The first place team in each Division (7/8, 9/10, 11/12) took home $1,500, second place received $750, and third place won $300 from the Professional Engineers in California Government (PECG).

Senator Dr. Richard Pan stopped by to deliver a message of support and encouragement for the students and exhibitors from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and PECG provided information and handouts on the benefits of a career in public service for the state and federal government.

The statewide competition has provided the opportunity for students to gain practice and feedback in advance of their applying for AASHTO’s National Bridge and Structure competition.  With this model, a California team was not only able to qualify nationally for the first time last year, but took second place in their age group at the Competition held in Portland, Maine. This year, California has qualified again, and an 11th/12th grade student team will represent Sacramento’s Sheldon High School and California at the National Bridge and Structure Competition in Franklin, Tennessee on May 21, 2018.

TRAC & RIDES Program Update

Last year, the PREP Foundation coordinated an AASHTO TRAC training in Los Angeles in partnership with PECG, the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) and the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. This year, the PREP Foundation is working to secure funding for additional TRAC & RIDES trainings in Sacramento, San Joaquin County, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles.  More information the TRAC and RIDES programs can be found here.

Innovate for Impact (Folsom City Zoo Project) Update

In December, the PREP Foundation hosted the Second Annual Mentor Day in partnership with PECG. The event brought over thirty California state-employed engineers and related professionals who volunteered their time to evaluate and assist students with designing improvements for disabled animals living at the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary. Earlier this year, students presented their final designs to the zoo for approval. The PREP Foundation and PECG will be at the Zoo next week as Folsom High School students install the improvements that they have designed with the help of PECG mentors.