All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

WVDOH sponsors free STEAM bridge design contest for middle and high school students: Enter by Feb. 27

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The 2022 West Virginia Bridge Design & Build Contest is now underway! All West Virginia students in grades 6 through 12 are encouraged to submit bridge designs for a chance to win cash prizes, including a Grand Prize of $500.

Participation in the contest is entirely free and open to students in public school, private school, or who are home-schooled. Everything a student needs to compete, including a free download of bridge design software and a tutorial by Secretary of Transportation Jimmy Wriston, P.E., is available at the Bridge Design & Build Contest website, https://wvbridgedesignandbuildcontest.com.

To register, download software and access the tutorial, click here.

Students have until Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022 to register and submit their bridge designs.

The contest, sponsored by the West Virginia Division of Highways, BridgeWalk, and West Virginia Department of Education, pits middle school and high school students against one another to see who can design the best bridge using standardized design software. The goal is the build a safe, well-engineered bridge for the least cost, just like engineers at the DOH do every day.

“Anyone who is interested in science, engineering or anything like that should take the opportunity to learn about bridge design and engineering,” said Garrett Ferguson, a Frankfort High School Student who is a past winner of the contest. “There are a lot of things you wouldn’t get to learn in normal school.”

In its 21st year, the contest is designed to encourage STEAM education and inspire tomorrow’s engineers today. The WVDOH co-sponsors the annual contest to support education, and hopes that participation will inspire middle school and high school students to pursue a career in engineering.

Every student who makes it to the finals receives $100. First place high school and middle school winners take home $500, second place winners receive $400, and third place winners get $300. Every student who participates in the contest gets a free BridgeWalk tour for themselves and their families.

Contest finals will be held Saturday, March 26, 2022. Finalists will be notified no later than March 4, 2022.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Moon Flower opens first satellite store at Delmonte Market in Elkins

Moon Flower Hemp, a woman-owned craft cannabis shop, is opening its first satellite location inside Elkins’s Delmonte Market, offering exclusive products, infused drinks, educational support and special perks for early customers.

Buckhannon Community Theatre’s ‘The Lion King Kids’ set to roar at Colonial Arts Center this weekend

Buckhannon Community Theatre will present Disney’s The Lion King Kids on June 20 and 21 at the Colonial Arts Center, showcasing young local talent in a family-friendly production directed by Ella McNeish.

Buckhannon Consolidated Public Works Board Agenda: June 26, 2025

The City of Buckhannon Consolidated Public Works Board has released the agenda for its upcoming June 26, 2025, meeting.

B-U’s Landon Marple earns All-State baseball honors

Buckhannon-Upshur senior Landon Marple, who led his team in multiple offensive categories, was named to the West Virginia Sports Writers Association Class AAAA All-State Baseball Team as an Honorable Mention.

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital’s Kelly Povroznik earns certification in integrative and functional nutrition

Kelly Povroznik, Director of Food and Nutrition Services at WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital, has earned certification as an Integrative and Functional Nutrition Certified Practitioner, bringing advanced holistic nutrition expertise to her patients and community.

Upshur County Sheriff Mike Coffman says numerous community complaints led to vape shop raids

Community complaints about Upshur County vape shops selling to minors prompted a months-long investigation that led to multi-agency raids, seizure of $500,000 in illegal products, and an ongoing probe with arrests likely.

Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for June 19, 2025

Argo Books is launching a community co-op, the Upshur County Library has won a grant for new computer classes, Meals on Wheels needs volunteers, and Fish Hawk Acres has resumed ‘grab & go’ service but paused breakfast.

Weese family legacy burns bright as Brandon coaches Flame 304 to new growth

Brandon Weese is continuing his family’s Buckhannon-Upshur basketball legacy by coaching the Flame 304 girls travel team, which now features players from multiple counties and emphasizes both athletic and personal growth.

Upshur County pool splashes back from repairs, continues busy summer with activities, parties and night swims

After a multi-day closure for repairs, the Upshur County Pool is reopening with a packed summer schedule featuring lessons, parties, night swims, and new event packages, positioning it for one of its busiest seasons yet.