When it was first launched in 1996 the Bridge Project was a six-week process. However, as Ms. Texas increased the academic outcomes of the project from year to year, project time gradually increased to 18 weeks. Project time always included direct instruction on relevant math and physics concepts, as well as project research and application. Students were not required to do a great deal of work on the project outside of the classroom due to the fact that many worked part-time jobs to help support their families and had little time after school. Instead, students completed the research, design, construction, and testing alone and in groups during the 55-minute class periods.