Asheboro City Schools Career & Technical Education (CTE) Department is excited to announce the first-ever Bridge Building Competition for middle school girls, an event aimed at fostering interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) among young female students. The competition, sponsored by NC FAME (Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education) in partnership with several prominent industry leaders, will take place on October 30, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Asheboro City Schools Professional Development Center at 211 W. Walker Avenue, Asheboro, NC. This event is by invitation only.
This hands-on STEM competition is designed to encourage middle school girls to explore engineering and problem-solving. Students from North Asheboro Middle School and South Asheboro Middle School will be tasked with building bridges that will be judged based on how much weight they can support. The event is structured to promote critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork, all key skills in STEM education.
“We are thrilled to provide an opportunity for our young female students to engage in STEM activities and be inspired by real-world applications of science and engineering,” said Sarah Beth Cox, Director of Career & Technical Education for Asheboro City Schools. “With the generous support of NC FAME and industry partners, we hope this competition will ignite a passion for STEM careers among our students.”
The NC FAME organization, which includes industry partners such as Toyota, ABCO Automation, Jowat Adhesives, Procter & Gamble, MasterBrand Cabinets, WestRock, and Ziehl-Abegg, is dedicated to preparing the next generation of skilled workers through apprenticeships and hands-on learning experiences. Their involvement in the competition is part of a broader commitment to encouraging girls to pursue STEM fields, particularly in advanced manufacturing.
The top bridge from each middle school will advance to compete at the GTCC Advanced Manufacturing Campus on November 21, 2024, for additional prizes and recognition, offering students further exposure to STEM education and career pathways.
For more information about the competition or Asheboro City Schools’ CTE programs, please contact:
Sarah Beth Cox
ACS CTE Director
About NC FAME
NC FAME is a partnership of manufacturers whose mission is to create a pipeline of skilled workers through innovative apprenticeship programs. NC FAME partners with local schools and businesses to provide students with practical experience and education in advanced manufacturing, ensuring a strong and capable future workforce.