16th Infrastructure Building Competition for Secondary Schools
Creating infrastructural models to explore structural mechanics

The Engineering Discipline of the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE), a member institution of the Vocational Training Council (VTC), partnered with the Hong Kong Construction Association and the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Hong Kong to organise the 16th Infrastructure Building Competition for Secondary Schools. Launched to raise awareness and interest in engineering subjects among senior secondary students through creating infrastructural models, the final competition and prize presentation ceremony was held earlier (30 March) in IVE (Morrison Hill). Ultimately, Team 1 of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs) Kwok Yat Wai College won the Grand Prize.

A total of 172 student teams from 85 secondary schools in Hong Kong and Macao were formed, from which 18 teams were shortlisted for the final round. The final competition was heated with the teams performing neck-to-neck. Winning the Grand Prize, Team 1 of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs) Kwok Yat Wai College put together a model bridge made of wood sticks of 0.32 kilograms in weight, which was able to withstand a moving car weighing 42 kilograms. Their work won the championship in the Best Load Capacity Award, the Best Structural Efficiency Award and the Grand Prize.

HKSAR Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Ir LAU Chun-kit officiated at the final competition and prize presentation ceremony. He said, “Hong Kong had ranked first for seven consecutive years on the ‘Infrastructure’ pillar in recent years in the ‘Global Competitiveness Report’ released by the World Economic Forum. Clearly, the achievements of the construction industry in infrastructure developments have earned international acclaim.” He went on to point out that, apart from improving their knowledge of bridge design and construction, the Competition also honed students’ persistence, their sense of adventure, team spirit, and communication, which was conducive to their academic and career development.

On the same occasion, VTC Executive Director Carrie YAU noted that the construction industry played a pivotal role in driving the socio-economic development of Hong Kong. Following the inception of mega infrastructural projects like the Three Runway System, the Hospital Development Plan and the Public Rental Housing Scheme, the demand for industry talent was rising. She also pointed out that VTC has shouldered the mission of cultivating talent for the industry and has worked in close partnership with the industry to develop quality vocational and professional education and training. Innovative technologies have been blended into teaching approaches to increase professionalism, reinforcing the leading position of Hong Kong in the construction industry.

First held in 2004, the Infrastructure Building Competition for Secondary Schools, held annually, has been well-received among secondary school students. Secondary 1 to 6 students can organise teams of four to five and apply through their schools. Each secondary school can field up to three teams of students. Competitors are required to use wood sticks and adhesives provided by the organiser to create a bridge model to compete through several rounds of gravity tests to achieve the highest load capacity.

The heats were held in the first half of March this year. At the final competition, shortlisted teams each built a bridge model able to withstand the litmus test of increasing load weight, to compete for the Best Load Capacity Award and the Best Structural Efficiency Award. Judges handpicked the Best-design Model on the strength of its exterior and creativity. The Best Estimation of Deflection Award, a newly added award, recognises the best team in computing the performance of the bridge. The team achieving the highest scores across the different awards was awarded the Grand Prize.

The Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) is a member of the VTC Group. The 9 IVE campuses are located across the territory. Together they provide vocational and professional education and training for secondary graduates as well as people in employment. IVE courses leading to the award of higher diploma and Diploma of Foundation Studies cover various academic disciplines including Applied Science; Business Administration; Childcare, Elderly and Community Services; Design; Information Technology; Engineering; and Hospitality. Website: www.ive.edu.hk

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Annex: Winners List of the 16th Infrastructure Building Competition for Secondary Schools