The Third Annual Popsicle Stick Bridge Competition is set for Saturday, February 21, 1998 at the Seattle Center in conjunction with National Engineers Week. While different competitions will take place nationwide, the strict dimension, weight, and assembly specifications to which the bridges must conform will be compatible. The Northwest's performance last year was commendable as a bridge from Henry Foss High School broke a national record by holding over 1000 pounds!
While still over a month away, many local math and physics high school students are exercising their engineering skills and ingenuity as they acutely compete for the titles of strongest, most aesthetically pleasing, and most efficient (highest load to weight ratio) popsicle stick bridge in the Northwest. But watching resolutely with excitement and disappointment as hours of work stand up beneath the hydraulic loading press is only part of the popsicle stick bridge building experience. Students will gain broad perspectives on the engineering field through college engineering students and young practicing engineers who will serve as consultants during the contest.
AMF members have been busy instructing prospective participants on the engineering field and the art of bridge building through high school presentations ranging from the typical classroom size to assemblies up to 200. So far this year we have over 25 schools signed up and this number keeps rising. We anticipate over 200 participants, 2000 spectators, and considerable media coverage. We are always very grateful for the many volunteers who make this event such a success. Feel free to contact Monique Nykamp,man@shanwil.com (Shannon & Wilson, 206-633-6837) if you are interested in helping with this year's contest.
Special thanks to the student participants, professors, AMF members, sponsoring companies, engineers, and media professionals for their dedication. Please come out on February 21 to the Center House at the Seattle Center to witness the tremendous results of their combined efforts.
David M. Schwegel,
Applications Engineer
Intersection Development Corporation
The Seattle Section will recognize twenty new Life Members at our January meeting at the Yankee Diner. Life Member status is bestowed upon Fellows, Members, Associate Members and Affiliates who have reached the age of 65 and have paid dues for a number of years that when added to their age, the sum equals 95. Life members are exempt from further payment of dues.
New life members include:| Edwin F. Baker | Theodore T. Bell | Christian J. Birkeland |
| N.G. Chamberlain | Chi Shing Chui | Herman H. Druebert |
| Edward T. Gwilym | Thomas E. Hammond | Oddbar H. Helgesen |
| Albert C. Highberger | Thomas E. Kirkland | Edward L. Koetje |
| Robert S. Levinson | Prateeb Monyakula | Paul Panagakis |
| Frederick C. Pneuman | Frederick W. Poe | Alexander Popoff, Jr. |
| Michael H. Quhl | Per E. Zimmerlund |
We hope to have a large turnout for this meeting to celebrate this significant achievement for our new Life Members as they reach a major milestone in their ASCE membership.
Nominations for the 1998 Local Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award are now being accepted by the Seattle Section. The award, begun in 1984, recognizes outstanding civil engineering achievements within the Seattle Section area. A bronze plaque is presented to the winning entry.
Entry requirements include:
The 1997 winner of the LOCEA was the Runway Improvements at the Snohomish County Airport, a project designed by engineers at Reid Middleton, Consultants.
Entries are due by April 1, 1998. Copies of the entry form are available from Mike Stansbury, Chairman of the Awards Committee, by calling (425) 889-9650.
City of Bellingham, Washington, November 6, 1997 - Austin Huang, Ph.D., P.E. of Bellingham has earned inclusion in the 4th Edition of Who's Who in Science and Engineering 1998-1999, a guide to today's most influential people around the world in the diverse fields of science and engineering.
To be chosen for inclusion, candidates must have attained a significant achievement in their field. Dr. Huang has made significant achievements in and contributions to geotechnical engineering research. Dr. Huang is the owner of Merit Engineering, Inc., a Geotechnical and Environmental Engineering Consulting Firm based in Bellingham.