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Construction-Related Activities for Students in 1st - 8th Grade

Abstract

Three distinct programs Pittsburg State University uses to promote the understanding of the construction industry to children in grades 1st through 8th are Block Kids, If I Had a Hammer and Construct Your Future. These programs are ongoing activities aimed toward promoting the construction industry aided by the Construction Management/ Construction Engineering Technologies faculty and students at Pittsburg State University.

Block Kids

Block Kids is an event that is sponsored by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). This annual event is open to children that are currently enrolled in grades 1 through 6. Prior to the event, event staff solicit prizes from local merchants. These prizes are as closely related to construction as possible. For instance the local lumber company donates hammers, wrenches, and tool pouches. Some merchants donate gift cards so that the event staff can purchase prizes to their liking.

The day of the event every student is required to have an Official Registration/Entry form signed by a parent or legal guardian in order to participate (See registration form Appendix I). Students are assigned to groups that correspond to their grade level. Each student is given 100 regular sized Legos, a small rock, a piece of string no longer than 12”, and a piece of aluminum foil no bigger than 18”x 18”. The foil can be ripped into smaller pieces if desired by the student, but no scissors are allowed. Students are asked to build a construction project from the materials provided, and they are given one hour to construct their project. All parents or guardians are asked to leave the room while the students are constructing their projects. All building projects must in some way relate to the construction industry. (Examples include: bridges, houses, skyscrapers, retail shops, etc.) After the one-hour time limit, students are then judged by college students, industry persons and faculty volunteers. Each judge is given 3 to 4 students to review, usually in the same grade level. The judges are given a series of 7 questions to ask each contestant. These questions include1 1. Tell us about your project. 2. What were you thinking about when you decided to build this? 3. Who will use this? (What will people be doing when they use it?) 4. If you did this again, would you build it the same way, or are there parts you would want to change? 5. Do you know about different types of construction work? What kind do you think you would like best? 6. What would you like to be when you grow up? 7. Why did you come to the contest?

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Audo, D., & O'Brien, S. (2010, June), Construction Related Activities For Students In 1 St 8 Th Grade Paper presented at 2010 Annual Conference & Exposition, Louisville, Kentucky. 10.18260/1-2--16077