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Saturday, July 31, 2010

Summer engineering program fosters genuine interest for some students

Summer engineering program fosters genuine interest for some students

Summer engineering program fosters genuine interest for some students

Shiesha McNeil, left, 16, and Janay Harrison, 16, prepare to test the strength of their bridge during the Engineering Innovation summer course at UDC.
Shiesha McNeil, left, 16, and Janay Harrison, 16, prepare to test the strength of their bridge during the Engineering Innovation summer course at UDC. (Jahi Chikwendiu/the Washington Post)
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Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, July 31, 2010

High school students Aszurtoine Gunter-Fields and Terrell Ford built a bridge that just wouldn't break.
Using only spaghetti, epoxy resin and glue, the rising seniors at Washington Mathematics Science Technology Public Charter High School engineered a bridge Friday that withstood nearly 58 pounds before collapsing.
The project was the culmination of a four-week Johns Hopkins University program for high school students held at the University of the District of Columbia. Aszurtoine and Terrell were among 10 District students who participated in the program, in which professors compact a semester-long freshman


School reform on two tracks: fast and slow


Education Secretary Arne Duncan talks about the federal Race to the Top grant competition at the National Press Club. (Drew Angerer/AP)