*******************************PHOTO/MEDIA OPPORTUNITY***************************

WHO:            The College of Science and Technology and 16 ‘Youth in Technology’ Summer Camp Participants
WHAT:           Engineering Challenge Workshop
WHEN:          Thursday, June 28, from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
WHERE:        Science and Technology Building Room 118 (Engineering Tech Lab)

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Sixteen summer camp participants will learn how much weight their wood model bridges can withstand before collapsing during an Engineering Challenge Workshop Thursday, June 28, from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. in the Science and Technology Building, Room 118.

The introductory engineering workshop is part of the first “Youth in Technology” summer camp sponsored by Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and the WorkSource of the Coastal Bend for students ages 17-21, which runs through Friday, July 6, on the University campus. It will be the last classroom activity for the career camp.

Under the direction of Dr. Asad Salem, associate professor of science and technology, participants have constructed bridges using balsa wood, wood glue, saws, knives and measuring tape. Participants will be judged on the ratio of the bridge’s size to the amount of weight it can support. Bridge dimensions must be 18 inches long, 3 to 6 inches wide and 3 to 6 inches tall. First, second and third place winners will be awarded.
 
“The purpose of the project is to teach the students principles of engineering and design,” Salem said. “It also teaches them basic skills of project management including scheduling.”