Amy Urban P'24, a prominent local architect/engineer hosted a bridge-building workshop for 11th & 12th graders.
Ms. Amy Urban, R.A., principal in the Port-Washington architecture firm Amy Urban Architecture & Design, led a hands-on study of the theory and practice of truss bridges for Sacred Heart Academy seniors & juniors interested in entering a structure in the Brookhaven National Laboratories Bridge-building Competition next February.
“The concepts of bridge design are both intuitive and clever. This competition gives these girls a hands-on opportunity to solve one of civilization's oldest problems. I am a huge proponent of women in engineering and construction. Hopefully, sharing my passion for static equilibrium, distribution of forces and structural design is an inspiring way to introduce engineering disciplines to these engaging young women. An engineering education provides a thorough approach to problem solving that translates across multiple facets of life.”
Gloria Steinem and the Ms. Foundation for Women founded "National Take Your Daughter to Work Day" in 1993. The idea has grown significantly since then. Well, I suppose you might say that Sacred Heart Academy junior Ava Urban has turned the construct around. On Friday, December 9th, Ava brought her mom to work - at school. Ms. Amy Urban, principal in the firm, Amy Urban Architecture & Design, visited SHA to share her wealth of knowledge about bridge architecture and engineering. First, Ms. Urban presented a brief, illustrated lecture demonstrating the physics theory behind the forces involved in bridge design and construction. Next, she showed a series of examples of bridge designs - focusing on truss bridges.
The Brookhaven National Labs Bridge-building Competition's rules, purpose and quirks were introduced. The materials involved were shared and arrangements were made to order enough for all participants. The spirited Q & A that followed allowed the girls to clear up misunderstandings about contest rules and about conceptual issues. Several of our "best and brightest left the conference room in Joseph House excitedly discussing whether they would build a Warren Truss, a K Truss or a Howe Truss...
Thank you to Ms. Amy Urban. Thank you to Ms. Ava Urban for off-handedly suggesting, "I bet my Mom could help with that," last year. Thank you to Mr. Tony Mangiacapre for being such a fine physics teacher at St. Mary's High School that Ms. Urban still talks about him.
“The concepts of bridge design are both intuitive and clever. This competition gives these girls a hands-on opportunity to solve one of civilization's oldest problems. I am a huge proponent of women in engineering and construction. Hopefully, sharing my passion for static equilibrium, distribution of forces and structural design is an inspiring way to introduce engineering disciplines to these engaging young women. An engineering education provides a thorough approach to problem solving that translates across multiple facets of life.”
Gloria Steinem and the Ms. Foundation for Women founded "National Take Your Daughter to Work Day" in 1993. The idea has grown significantly since then. Well, I suppose you might say that Sacred Heart Academy junior Ava Urban has turned the construct around. On Friday, December 9th, Ava brought her mom to work - at school. Ms. Amy Urban, principal in the firm, Amy Urban Architecture & Design, visited SHA to share her wealth of knowledge about bridge architecture and engineering. First, Ms. Urban presented a brief, illustrated lecture demonstrating the physics theory behind the forces involved in bridge design and construction. Next, she showed a series of examples of bridge designs - focusing on truss bridges.
The Brookhaven National Labs Bridge-building Competition's rules, purpose and quirks were introduced. The materials involved were shared and arrangements were made to order enough for all participants. The spirited Q & A that followed allowed the girls to clear up misunderstandings about contest rules and about conceptual issues. Several of our "best and brightest left the conference room in Joseph House excitedly discussing whether they would build a Warren Truss, a K Truss or a Howe Truss...
Thank you to Ms. Amy Urban. Thank you to Ms. Ava Urban for off-handedly suggesting, "I bet my Mom could help with that," last year. Thank you to Mr. Tony Mangiacapre for being such a fine physics teacher at St. Mary's High School that Ms. Urban still talks about him.