1. Troop 8 Bridge Competition – Getting Started Before starting, check with your parents to ensure that they are OK with you entering the contest and downloading software. Download program from: http://bridgecontest.usma.edu/download.htm http://bridgecontest.usma.edu/download.htm –There several versions of software depending on your operating system (XP, Vista, Windows7) Install the Setup2010.exe on your computer

2. Troop 8 Bridge Competition After installing the program, open the West Point Designer 2010 program. You will see an opening splash screen and a tip of the day box. Close the tip of the day. You will see the following screen: You may open a previously saved design or start a new design. Press OK.

3. Troop 8 Bridge Competition (Set Up) Read the seven design panes.

4. Troop 8 Bridge Competition (Set Up) Enter the following: Choose Yes

5. Troop 8 Bridge Competition (Set Up) You may change everything on this page. Remember, it is the bridge at the lowest cost and enables the truck to cross the bridge that wins.

6. Troop 8 Bridge Competition (Set Up) Do not change any items on this page. You must choose the Standard 180kN Truck. If you choose other boxes for our local contest, you entry will be disqualified. You must choose standard You can choose either one here

7. Troop 8 Bridge Competition (Set Up) You may choose a template or design your own (i.e. none).

8. Troop 8 Bridge Competition (Set Up) Enter your name and project number – select a number.

9. Troop 8 Bridge Competition (Set Up) Select finish and build your bridge.

10. Troop 8 Bridge Local Contest Competition Collaboration is permitted. Send e-mail to Mr. Long (gc_long@bellsouth.net) if you have questions.gc_long@bellsouth.net Send you completed designs periodically to Mr. Long. He will upload results to the Troop 8 web page on a weekly basis. You will need to send me your team name (if you want to remain anonymous). Mr. Long will run your bridge to ensure that it works. If it works, your team name and cost will be posted to the web site. The person or team with the most economical bridge that holds the truck will win. There will be a 1 st Place, 2 nd Place, and 3 rd Place Prize. There will also be one prize for most imaginative –Cost does not matter, but the truck must make it across the bridge –Subjective assessment on the part of the Scoutmasters. Cutoff for sending files to Mr. Long is May 30 th.