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Transportation and Civil Engineering Program (TRAC)

Young students weigh their bridge structure as they participate in MDOT's TRAC Design-Build Challenge.
Department of Transportation

Transportation and Civil Engineering Program (TRAC)

Since 2004, 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, technology, engineering, and math curriculum and is in alignment with AASHTO Stem Outreach Solutions.

The TRAC program engages 7th-12th grade students in solving real-world problems, such as designing bridges, building magnetic-levitation trains, or analyzing the environmental and economic effects of building a highway.

MDOT will provide training to educators interested in overseeing students in this program and will provide supplies at no cost to the school or educator. Educators can choose which modules they would like to use. Modules were created to fit into their curriculum, making it easy to utilize this program in an efficient way. In addition, educators utilizing Bentley’s MicroStation will receive training from Bentley on how to use the software. Students who participate in TRAC modules are eligible to apply for the TRAC internship program upon graduation and may be eligible to receive scholarships.

By connecting educators and schools with free curriculum aligned modules, students engage with engineering and transportation related learning objectives and may spark an interest in a transportation or civil engineering career. In addition, exposure to MDOT professionals and resources help students connect the dots in where they might fit in public service in the future. When schools engage with these programs, Michigan wins. For more information, contact the TRAC program manager.

Module Overviews

Bridge Builder - Building Math Skills

Environmental - Understanding It

Traffic Engineering and Safety - Physics of Highway Safety

Magnetic Levitation - Learning Is on the Rise

Motion - Physics on the Move

Design and Construction - On the Road to Learning

Traffic Technology - Giving Science the Green Light

Contact

Laura Bensinger | 517-242-7995
Program Manager
MDOT-TRAC-Program@Michigan.gov

MDOT TRAC Program
425 W. Ottawa St.
Lansing, MI 48813

Supplies

The supply replenishment window is closed for the year. It will reopen in July 2025 as supplies become available.

TRAC Training

If you are interested in hosting a training, contact the TRAC Program manager.

Educators must be trained in modules before requesting supplies. If you are interested in this training or future offerings, please fill out the Teacher Training Request Form. 

2025 TRAC Bridge Challenge

If your team wants to learn more about the program or how to participate in the competition, contact the TRAC program at MDOT-TRAC-Program@Michigan.gov.

Congratulations 2025 winners!

7th and 8th grades - Truss Bridge

      • 1st place - Truss Us, Innoacademy
      • 2nd place - BCE Truss, Meads Middle School
      • 3rd place - The Nerds, Plainwell Middle School

9th and & 10th grades - Deck Arch Truss Bridge

      • 1st place - ARJ-itects, Northville High School
      • 2nd place - Northville Bridgers, Northville High School
      • 3rd place - Bridge WORKS, Innoacademy

11th and 12th grades - Cable-Stayed Bridge

    • 1st place - Mission ImBALSAble, Clinton High School
    • 2nd place- Iron Ore Overpasses, Negaunee High School
    • 3rd place- U.P. North Bridgeworks, Negaunee High School
Three female students watch as MDOT engineers test a bridge.

MDOT TRAC Design Bridge Build Challenge

The MDOT TRAC Bridge Build Challenge takes place each spring. Competing students develop a proposal, deliver a 10-minute presentation to a panel of industry professionals, and test their small-scale balsa wood bridges for a chance to claim the title and win prizes at this annual event.

Watch to learn more about the TRAC Program
MDOT TRAC Design Bridge Build Challenge Video