Bringing Back Construction Education to the Classroom by Digitizing It.

Abstract

To address the shortfall of professional shortages in the construction and related STEM industries, an educational intervention has been designed to promote construction in 3rd – 6th grade classrooms. It is the authors belief that by building interest in younger students, these students will continue into construction and STEM related careers. The authors designed the curriculum for 3rd – 6th grade students. They believe the curriculum addresses many of the issues for removing construction education from elective course offerings, by making it affordable, and by integrating core STEM principles into standardized core curriculum. They believe this curriculum makes learners better problem solvers, creative, and critical thinkers – all skills which can have a positive influence on academic performance, while exposing them to the construction and some STEM industries. This paper documents their efforts and findings piloting this STEM Construction Education effort in a K-6 public school.