For the very first time, Notre Dame University-Louaize (NDU) partook in the “2017 Inter-Universities Popsicle Stick Bridge Competition,” and emerged as the winners.
This competition took place at the Lebanese American University (LAU) and was organized by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), which represents more than 150,000 members of the civil engineering profession in more than 150 countries. The ASCE is a leading provider of technical and professional conferences and continuing education, the world’s largest publisher of civil engineering content, and an authoritative source for codes and standards that protect the public.
Both NDU main campus and the North Lebanon Campus (NLC) worked together to form three separate teams to design bridges that had to weigh less than 350 grams with a 65-centimeter span of 13-centimeter width.
The winning team, ‘NDU Main 2,’ succeeded in designing a bridge that held up to 150 kilograms, which all but ensured its first-place ranking.
Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at NDU Dr. Michel Chalhoub said, “The main objective was to engage our students in a national event for which they prepare with their coach, work as a team, and deliver results. That objective was met. Ranking first on a national level is an achievement that bears testimony to NDU’s rise on a regional level. A miniature bridge made of popsicle sticks and glue, weighing 341.1 grams, and carrying 152.5 kilograms prior to failure is a fine example of engineering innovation and efficiency.”
NDU student and one of the winners, Michael Merheb said, “It was a rather daunting and bumpy road but with a great ending worth every minute of hard work. I earned an unforgettable experience both from the competition and from those who aided us along the way.”
The trend of NDU students leaving their mark in national, regional, and international competitions clearly indicates the sheer number of exceedingly talented and intelligent students the University has across its three campuses. Backed by NDU’s high-quality education, students have learned how to harness and direct their innovation, energy, and vision.