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TRAC - Transportation and Civil Engineering
Bridge Contest Winners 2011
2011 Michigan Bridge Challenge.
Since 2004, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has been offering the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) TRAC (Transportation and Civil Engineering) Program to schools in Michigan. TRAC is a hands-on education program designed for integration into science, math and social science classes.
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Negaunee and Portage Teams honored as TRAC 2011 National Bridge Building Champions
Michigan took high honors! View photos of the talented, successful teams at the 2011 National Bridge Competitions held in Las Vegas, Nevada

For more information, contact
Jan Pohl 517-373-9571
Michigan TRAC Program Coordinators PDF icon

MDOT Statewide TRAC Summer Internship Program

• Attention 11th and 12th Grade High School Students!
2012 summer interns have an opportunity to participate in a statewide program that involves hands-on civil engineering experience through the TRAC Pipeline Internship Program. TRAC Internship

Design/Build Challenges

• 2012 Statewide Design/Build Challenge
  - Application Registration Forms due November 15, 2011.
  - Proposals must be postmarked on or before March 1, 2012
  - Team member changes must be submitted on or before February 20, 2012
  - Competition acceptance notification will be emailed on March 15, 2012
Note: The Bridge Challenge Competition date of March 8 is being changed due to statewide curriculum testing for Juniors. The new date is Monday, April 30, 2012. The National TRAC Bridge Competition due dates are not changing.
Download Application Form

• View Brochure PDF icon

• 2012 Design & Build Bridge Challenge Competition Rules and Guidelines
  Grades 7 - 8 Truss Bridge PDF icon (Due Dates Revised)
  Grades 9 - 10 Drawbridge PDF icon (Due Dates Revised)
  Grades 11 - 12 Cable-stayed Bridge PDF icon (Due Dates Revised)

• Download and Install MicroStation PowerDraft V8i Edition
Follow the download sequence on the download page and install each one in proper sequence to take advantage of the powerful new MicroStation PowerDraft V8 XM Edition.

• Frequently Asked Questions (Revised 1/26/2012 ) PDF icon

• Michigan TRAC Program Coordinators PDF icon

• National TRAC Bridge Competition
  - Applications due November 1, 2011.
  - Proposals are due February 24, 2012
  - Successful teams will be notififed on March 12, 2012
  - Competition finals in Traverse City, May 18, 2012
Note: There are differences in the guidelines and due dates for the Michigan and National Competitions. Please read the guidelines carefully.
Truss Bridge Guidelines - Grades 7-8
Drawbridge Guidelines - Grades 9-10
Cable-stayed Bridge Guidelines - Grades 11-12


• Upcoming TRAC Training
 
Friday, February 17, 2012
Location:Consortium College Preparatory High School
1250 Rosa Parks Blvd.
Detroit, Michigan 48216
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Registration Contact:DeAnte Thompkins 1-248-388-0164
ThompkinsD@michigan.gov

Modules

• Bridge Builder - Building Math Skills
Algebra, geometry and physics are applied to the design and construction of bridges.

• City Planning- Building Fun in Social Studies
Use SIMCITY to show concepts of design, problem solving, critical thinking and group decision making.

• Highway Development and the Environment
Social studies and the sciences come together as students consider the environmental issues an science involved with highway planning.

• The Physics of Highway Safety

• Magnetic Levitation
Students put magnetic levitation cars through their paces while learning Newton's First and Second Laws of Motion.

• Motion and the Transportation Engineer - Physics
Momentum and impulse are brought to life for high school or middle school science classes.

• Roadway Design and Construction
Showcases the wide range of disciplines (including math, social studies and technology) involved in taking a road from design to construction.

• Traffic Technology - Physics and Computers
Linear motion, basic circuits and Boolean logic for high school students.

Links

• AASHTO Video: U.S. Critically Short of Civil Engineers

• Trac Engineer Volunteers PDF icon

• Civil Engineering Colleges in Michigan PDF icon

• TRAC/Michigan Education Standards


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