Many Physics students dread the time of the school year when they have to make their paper bridge.  In years past, both regulars and honors Physics students were required to take on the grueling task of building these bridges.  But this year, the project is only required for honors Physics students.  Students are assigned this project during the fall semester and it is due shortly after Winter Break.  The project is accepted as extra credit work in the regular Physics classes according to the Physics team.  

While the students in regular Physics are relieved, the honors students and seniors who took the class last year are distraught over this change.

“If it is difficult for honors kids, then it must be a real challenge for regulars, and regulars students wouldn’t benefit from the project,” junior Allison Peck said.  “The bridge project would just cause stress and grades dropping.”  

Junior Mariel Kim explains that honors students were aware that they would be required to build a bridge when they signed up for the class.

“Before I came to know Physics, I thought that the bridge project would be a fun, interesting project,” Kim said.  “But now that I realize how much effort and calculating will be involved, I’m not so sure how much fun this project will be.”

The bridge project proves to be demanding because of the large degree of precision required for the bridge to be successful.  According to the guidelines, the joint construction needs the most work for the bridge to be able to hold weight.  Teachers recommend that students experiment with various joints to see which will be most effective. 

“I think the joints and drilling holes will be the hardest part of the project,” junior Haley Smith said.  “It’ll be a hard project and it’s a pain, but it’s better than science fair.”

Students have different views on what the most difficult part of the project will be.  Junior Sharwin Knot believes that the most difficult part will be figuring out where to start.

“The project seems kind of intimidating and overwhelming because I have no idea how to do it yet,” Knot said.  “But it might not be so bad once I actually start.” 

Although the joints are said to give the students the most trouble, Physics teacher Joe Arnett believes that if students put time into the project, it will not be as difficult.

“The project is not difficult if you spread the project out over several weeks,” Arnett said.  “The goal is to experiment with different types of ideas for member construction and joint construction.  This takes time.”

Some seniors are uneasy over the change, since all Physics students were required to do the project last year and only honors students are required to do it this year.

 “I think it is completely unfair,” senior Marlena Bortros said.  “The hardest part was making it strong and under the weight limit.  It was also difficult keeping the joints together.”

The project guidelines are very specific.  Students are only allowed to use two types of Elmer’s Glue, white computer paper and wooden toothpicks.  The structure needs to be free standing and have two levels.  The specific materials and structure make the project a more difficult task for the students.  The bridges need to be able to hold a minimum of five kilograms without collapsing.  Students are allowed to test their bridge in the presence of one of the Physics teachers before the due date of the project. 

“It will be difficult finding an efficient design so the bridge will be durable,” junior Jennifer Bennett said.

As many students will learn, it is smart to begin the project far before the due date.  Botros was not so lucky last year.

“I started working on the project two weeks before it was due and had to completely start over two days before it was due because my brother broke it,” Botros said.  “But it was successful when I finished it.” 

For most students, schedules are packed tight with other school work or extracurricular activities.  The bridge project is very demanding and may be too much to handle for some honors students.  

 “The whole process seems ridiculously time consuming,” junior Mark Lee said.  “If we were in groups there’d be more input as to how bridges should be made, which should make the bridges better in design quality. So a group bridge project would significantly cut time, help us learn better, and improve bridges as a whole.”

The project gives a chance for the students to learn and apply physics concepts to real life situations, such as building something.

“Many of this year’s students will miss out on a great opportunity to apply some cool Physics concepts to a hands-on project,” Arnett said.

Most students do not look forward to having to do the bridge project, while others do not mind it as much.  However, the bridge is a part of the West tradition and will continue for years to come. 

“I do not see anything too horrid about the project, but I wish the regulars students had to do something analogous to the bridge project,” junior Rooha Khan said.