
Hannah Sample, Andrew Hayduk
Ortonville, Michigan, Wednesday, April 22, 2013 -- The Brandon Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Pathways Academy attended the Michigan Department of Transportation’s State Bridge Building Challenge on Tuesday, April 16, 2013. Brandon High School was represented by twenty-one students on seven teams in the ninth and tenth grade division. The 2013 challenge, students were to give a seven to ten minute presentation to MDOT Civil Engineers as well as design and build a bascule bridge which was tested for its strength to weight ratio. Students from the Academy were able to bring home 3rd and 4th place finishes in the Bascule Bridge Challenge. Finishing in Fourth place was Team Duke consisting of students Mackenzie Bolton, Hannah Sample, and Andrew Hayduk. Coming in 3rd Place was Team SSR consisting of students Sara Heines, Sandra Peters and Randi Jannette. Over 400 teams from all over the state of Michigan participated in the challenge this year in Lansing at the Lansing Center. This is the fourth year the Academy has participated in the competition and looks forward to sending more successful teams in the future.

Randi Jannette, Sara Heines
The Brandon STEM pathways Academy is a highly focused program that begins in ninth grade at Brandon High School. The program is for learners who are highly motivated and are looking to enter careers in areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. STEM is key to today's global economy. In order for America to compete in today's world market, learners must be prepared to enter the workforce with the necessary skills to compete for tomorrow's jobs. Learners must be able to think critically and able to solve problems that haven't even been discussed today.