RIT Slates First-Ever ‘Brick Bash’ Brick-Smashing Contest

It’s not a “bash” in the party sense of the word (as you may have heard, that kind of bash was already held, to some notoriety, a week ago).

Instead, Rochester Institute of Technology’s first-ever “Brick Bash” this week will let engineering technology students vent their frustrations in an officially sanctioned brick-smashing contest. On the final day of spring quarter, 30 students, broken into teams of six, will compete to smash bricks—one by one—into the most pieces using brick bashers they designed and built in Machine Design class. They’ll also compete for the fastest time and for design simplicity. Plus, in order to count, the brick pieces must be smashed into specified geometric shapes having at least four sides.

The contest serves as the final class project, replacing a final exam, says Marty Gordon, assistant professor of mechanical engineering technology and instructor of the course. Although students in his class won’t have a written final, many of them may be eager to blow off steam over final exams and term papers in their other classes—only this time in a more constructive way—Gordon adds.

“Brick Bash” will be held from 9 to 11 a.m., this Friday, May 21, in front of the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences building. (The sentiments of bricks notwithstanding, the response of sheriff’s deputies isn’t expected to be required.)


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