Make a Difference: Be a Student Steel Bridge Competition Volunteer
Volunteer Opportunity: Help Us Make the 2025 Student Steel Bridge Competition an Amazing Experience
Student engineers at over 200 colleges and universities are hard at work right now designing, fabricating, and perhaps even starting to assemble the scale river crossings they hope will bring them victory in this year’s Student Steel Bridge Competition (SSBC).
They’ll put their skills to the test at 19 regional competitions this spring before heading to the national finals at Iowa State University in May—and you can help make their experience unforgettable.
We’re looking for volunteers to help the schools hosting events provide an awesome in-person experience for these students—and you don’t have to be a bridge engineer to help out. We’ll need extra hands for setup, judging (don’t worry, we’ll train you), and all of the other crucial tasks that make an event run smoothly.
WHAT THE EXCITEMENT IS ALL ABOUT
For more than 35 years, generations of aspiring engineers have brought their classroom know-how into the real world with a scale steel bridge, assembled in a timed environment and load-tested with 2,500 lbs of weight. Many SSBC alumni have told us that this event was the highlight of their college careers, leading to professional opportunities, lasting friendships, and an incredible sense of accomplishment. Their enthusiasm is what makes volunteering at the in-person competitions so rewarding (and downright fun). Check out the excitement here.
WHERE THE ACTION WILL HAPPEN
Students will compete at 19 regional competitions around the country throughout March and April as part of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Student Symposia. Our finalists will meet at Iowa State University for the national finals on May 30 – 31, 2025.
HOW YOU CAN BE PART OF IT
We are looking for volunteers to assist with judging, event setup, and all the other critical jobs that make an event a success (such as helping with the registration desk, distributing lunch, and others). Previous SSBC experience is not required!
If you’re interested in getting involved, please complete this volunteer interest form. We’ll pass your information along to the host school and they’ll reach out to you with next steps.
OTHER WAYS TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
If you are unable to volunteer but would like to support your local regional competition or the national finals, you can always become a sponsor! Visit aisc.org/ssbcsponsorships for further details.
QUESTIONS?
If you have questions about the events or what you can do to help out, please reach out to AISC University Programs at universityprograms@aisc.org.
We are incredibly grateful for the help we get from dedicated community members like you, and we hope to see you this spring!
