2026 Student Model Bridge Building Competition
2026 marks the 37th year the Student Model Bridge Building Competition (SMBBC) provides southern Nevada high school-, middle school- and elementary school-aged students with the opportunity to test their engineering skills through a competition of innovation and craftsmanship. Students are tasked to construct a bass-wood bridge structure within predefined specifications for their competition level. The highest performing bridges are determined through an efficiency metric to identify a bridge that was able to support the heaviest load while be constructed using the fewest materials.
The 2026 competition will operate in its normal capacity of FULL ATTENDANCE at the UNLV College of Engineering.
However, we ask that any person who is not feeling well to have respect for other people’s safety and to not attend the competition.
When is the competition? The competition will be at the UNLV College of Engineering on Saturday March 7, 2026.
How can I pick up bridge kits? If you are interested in participating in the 2026 Model Bridge Building Competition please register you school by filling out the Participation Form and chose a pick-up site from the listed contacts to make arrangements to receive a bride kit. Any additional school registration questions can be directed to Tanner Hartranft at thartranft@dcsnv.com.
How do I get reimbursed after I purchase bridge kits? The opportunity for reimbursement is at the discretion of each school administration and can vary across public, charter and private schools. However, some CCSD school administrators may require this signed Public Disclosure Form before issuing a reimbursement.
Will there be a Teachers Workshop? The Planning Committee is committed to providing as much insight into the competition as possible. There will be a Teachers Workshop at UNLV on January 14, 2026 from 4:30-6:00pm
Rules and Specifications
2026 ES Rules
2026 MS Rules
2026 HS Rules
Registration
Register your school by filling out and returning a Participation Form
when you pick-up your bridge kits.
Register your individual students electronically
by using the registration link below:
Student Registration Link
Competition
UNLV College of Engineering (TBE-B)
March 7, 2026
Teachers Workshop
UNLV College of Engineering (TBE B-174)
January 14, 2026
4:30-6:00 pm
2026 Teachers Workshop Presentation
Testing Day Documents
2026 Rules/Specifications
ES Rules
MS Rules
HS Rules
2026 Testing Day Schedule (Updated 3/3/2026)
Resources
2026 Teachers Workshop Presentation
