Construction Forum Education Foundation Expands STEM Outreach

Date Posted: January 25, 2016

Posted In: News, Organizations,

The Construction Forum Education Foundation (CFEF) is beefing up its STEM outreach program. CFEF is working with local educators and organizations in a variety of venues in efforts which are targeted to attract young people to construction-related careers.

On Jan. 6, Ed Choklek, executive director of CFEF, participated in a presentation for the St. Louis Chapter, American Institute of Architects (AIA), entitled “Architecture: STEM or STE(A)M”. Choklek co-presented with Dr. Keith Miller, Orthwein endowed professor for lifelong learning in the Sciences at the University of Missouri —St. Louis and Carol Valenta, president of Valenta Consulting and the director of educational internships at the University of Missouri — St. Louis.

Children building block Arch model at Hazelwood School District STEM Extravaganza Saturday.

The two-hour program, focused on the importance of engaging young minds with hands-on creative exercises to stimulate their interest in design and construction careers. The 80-plus attendees were provided a variety of items (pipe cleaners, plastic cups) and school supplies and asked to create an Architect Super Hero with three super powers.

Ms. Valenta, Dr. Miller and Mr. Choklek concluded the program by sharing insights on engaging youth from their individual perspectives and encouraged the AIA St. Louis membership to support regional STEAM outreach efforts through providing mentors and role models.

On Saturday (Jan. 23), the CFEF participated in the 2016 Hazelwood School District’s STEM Extravaganza along with 50 other exhibitors from regional corporations, higher education institutions and non-profit organizations.

Volunteers from Construction Forum St. Louis and the Construction Forum Education Foundation staffed the “Traveling Arch Blocks” exhibit on loan from the St. Louis Science Center where children and their parents took turns building a mini-arch and posing for pictures.

“Seeing the smiles of the children as they built the arch and learned fundamentals of teamwork with construction projects is what excites and motivates our professional volunteers,” Choklek said.

This Thursday (Jan. 27), the CFEF will undertake its first outreach activity with the Rockwood School District through providing eight trade union, architecture, engineering and construction leaders to participate in a Career Technical Education Exchange Summit.

Joe Blanner, president of Construction Forum St. Louis and the Construction Forum Education Foundation will lead this delegation in working with Rockwood School District to reassess the content of their classroom instruction so that it remains relevant to technology changes in the architecture/engineering and construction industries.

The professional representatives will also share their insights on how to better prepare middle school and high school students for real-world situations when they enter an apprentice program or begin working for a design or construction company through internship opportunities.