Construction

ACED Construction Course Description (utilizing the ACED Construction Curriculum)

Students explore diverse careers in architecture, engineering, and the construction trades while developing foundational skills in problem solving, critical thinking, collaboration, and technical proficiency. The curriculum emphasizes: Engineering and Design Process: Applying structured design challenges that require planning, building, testing, and refining solutions within defined specifications. Blueprint Reading and Scale: Learning how to interpret and create basic blueprints while understanding measurement, proportion, and spatial reasoning. Professional Skills Development: Strengthening communication, teamwork, growth mindset, and workplace responsibility. Career Exploration and Planning: Utilizing career exploration platform(s) to connect personal interests and strengths to construction related pathways. Hands On Construction and Applied Learning

A central component of the course is authentic, hands-on construction projects that serve as practical laboratories for applying STEM concepts. Through designing and building model structures and participating in tool-based learning stations, students Explore the roles of architects, engineers, construction forepersons, general contractors and skilled trades. Apply measurement, scaling, and design principles to real world building challenges. Use critical thinking and collaboration to solve structural and design problems. Practice safe and responsible use of select tools while reinforcing workplace safety standards.

Learning Objectives

· Understand Fundamental Principles: Grasp basic concepts of structural design, measurement, blueprint interpretation, and safe tool usage. Explore Construction Careers: Investigate career pathways in architecture, engineering, construction management, and skilled trades. Develop Critical Thinking Skills: Solve real world construction challenges within specific constraints. Strengthen Professional Skills: Demonstrate communication, collaboration, responsibility, and a growth mindset in team-based projects.

Class Activities

· Career and eECAP Development: Utilizing career exploration platforms, students create an early Education Career Action Plan to document interests, skills, and pathway exploration. Design and Build Projects: Students engage in structured hands-on construction activities that involve measuring, planning, building, and refining model structures. Tool Safety: Students practice safe use of tools and develop confidence in applied construction skills. Collaborative Design Challenges: Students work in teams to complete challenges that reinforce communication, problem solving, and accountability.

Evaluation and Assessment

Student performance is assessed through project-based evaluations, eECAP development, safety demonstrations, and practical applications. Emphasis is placed on hands on participation, teamwork, responsible tool use, and the application of design and construction principles. The Middle School Construction Exploratory Class offers an engaging and practical introduction to the design, engineering, and building processes that shape our communities. By integrating the ABEC curriculum, available career exploration platforms, and authentic hands-on construction experiences, students gain a dynamic learning environment that builds confidence, technical awareness and interest in future careers within the construction and design industries.