APEGBC members Alex Szymanski (l) and Jim Sosiak (r) prepare 12-year-old Eric Martens' bridge for its weight test

Prince George, BC – The building supplies list is a short one: 100 popsicle sticks and white glue…

Participants in the 17th Annual Ultimate Bridge Building Contest gathered at Pine Centre Mall yesterday to put their finished results to the test – the weight test.

Photo at right shows Eric Martens' bridge beginning to crumple under the strain.  The Heather Park student's popsicle span managed to withstand 201-pounds before collapsing entirely.

The yearly contest is organized by members of the Central Interior Branch of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC (APEGBC).

Geotechnical Engineer, Shiloh Carlson, says it's an exciting way to introduce kids to engineering and geoscience.

"We just like to expose them to what engineering is and help them realize the little things they do everyday that involve engineering and the attributes they have," says Carlson.  "And, maybe later in life, they'll decide to pursue a career in engineering."

Nine-year-old Tristan Dodge (at left) and his seven-year-old sister, Brooke, seem to be engineers in the making…

The siblings, both students at Edgewood Elementary, took home the Aesthetics Award in the Intermediate and Elementary categories, respectively.

Tristan's bridge withstood a whopping 616-pounds before reverting to its former life as individual popsicle sticks.

In all, approximately 80 bridges were expected to undergo the 'ultimate' challenge at yesterday's contest.