INNOVATION May-June 2017

c ommun i t y Jane notices Ovi’s arrival. He will assemble the bridge tester on loan from WSP and set up the computer recorder. The day before, he and Jane visited WSP’s Richmond office to learn how to assemble the heavy rigs. Doru will return them to WSP tomorrow. Because many contestants and parents at last year’s event felt weighing and testing the bridges took too long, the Tri-City Branch NEGM team has arranged for two test rigs this year. Operators standing by! Jing, who has just flown back from a construction project in Fort Nelson, BC, mentions last year’s glitch with the electronics, and shows Mike J., Mike M. and Owen how to work the testers. Dr. Brian Chapell, Douglas College’s Dean of Faculty of Science and Technology, has arranged the event’s projectors, screens, and microphones. Brian is a keen supporter of the Tri-City Branch and its NEGM event—today marks the fifth year the college’s Coquitlam campus has hosted the popsicle stick bridge building competition. Jane introduces Lenka to Brian. Lenka has drafted a detailed floor plan showing where the sponsorship and judges’ tables are to be set up. Mitsubishi Electric, the event’s largest financial supporter this year, has a prominent display. Lafarge Concrete also has a display table. Sean, who works for the City of Coquitlam and has just arrived, has collected donations from his co-workers at the city’s engineering department to support the event, while Michael Q. also obtained pledges for funds from Suncor. The volunteers are now all onsite. Gloria is laying out certificates and setting up the helium tank for balloons. Ana and Stefanie are organizing the branch’s display table. The rock plaques that Dan designed and had made to commemorate the event really seem to rock with the kids! Jane, Inn and Stella will judge entries for the “most creative design” award. But wait!—The opening slide show has started. Anett organized

some Tri-City Branch NEGM photos to begin the celebrations. Cam holds a microphone, ready to begin his commentary on each bridge as stress loads are added to determine its strength.

“Things are going just fine,” Jane reassures herself, as she and Brian step forward to begin their opening speeches. “Let the games begin—We have 128 bridges to break!”

AYEAR can CHANGE EVERYTHING

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