The ACE Mentor
organization of Eastern Iowa includes countless community members involved in
teaching high school students the value of STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering and Math) education in a very innovative and contextual format.
Through partnerships with local, regional and national organizations, students
and other members from our community collaborate with professionals from the
(ACE) Architectural, Construction and Engineering professions.
Our community and
country at large is facing a severe shortage of young people interested in STEM
careers, especially those focused on the areas of ACE. We have listened to
countless employers, higher education institutions and current skilled
professionals in our community discuss the alarming shortages of current and
future skilled workers in the technical areas of ACE.
Clear Creek Amana
school district has partnered with the Eastern Iowa ACE Mentor program and many
other area organizations to participate in a design/build project for area high
school students and interested community members. This project began in October
with a national record-breaking kick off at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.
Throughout the following student/mentor meetings in November, December and
January, a preliminary design of the building was conceived. With the aid of industry mentors from
Shive-Hattery, a working set of construction documents is nearing
completion. This summer, students will continue
to participate in the program through an on-site build of the STEM Center. This project will engage high school students
and community members in a contextual event to educate and excite future STEM
and ACE leaders. Once complete, the STEM Center will be utilized for future
STEM programming. The STEM Center concept is an ideal project on many levels
towards the promotion of STEM opportunities at earlier grade levels.
The Vocational
Training Council of the Greater Iowa City Homebuilders Association and the
Eastern Iowa ACE Mentor Board will oversee all facets of work described above. Through
grant funding from the Greater Johnson County Community Foundation, the
Vocational Training Council (IC HBA) in partnership with Kirkwood Community
College will serve as the general contractor for the build portion of the
project. This responsibility will include the construction supervisor role as
well as teacher of the multitude of students and other volunteers working on
the project. CCA administration and faculty are discovering news ways to
utilize the STEM Center to teach multidisciplinary lessons.
The ACE Mentor
program welcomed over 150 students throughout the fall design meetings and we
have expectations of an enrollment of 100+ for the actual build. There will be
a core group of students that work on the jobsite throughout the summer. These students will spend a minimum of 100
hours on the project to gain experience in the ACE industries while earning
college credit. Students who are unable
to spend that amount of time, but are interested in participating will be
welcomed as they are available. During the construction, we invite community
members to join the students. We’ve selected specific days for student families,
friends, and community members from all areas of interest and skill. A Doodle
poll is shown near the bottom of this article.
Community
engagement for the STEM Center has been far reaching throughout all stages of
development. Industry sponsors and
community leaders have stepped up to finance the bulk of this project knowing
the impact it will have for our students today and in the future. The STEM
Center is projected to have a value of $350,000. The following sponsors have collectively contributed
most of the in-kind and monetary sponsorship towards the construction of this
project thus far:
Hills Bank and
Trust, Greater Iowa City Home Builders Association, Greater Johnson County
Community Foundation, Kings Material, Croell Ready Mix, McCreedy-Ruth
Construction, T&K Roofing, Metal Design Systems, James Hardie, Engineering
Building Design, Shive Hattery Architects and Engineers, LADCO, Schrader
Excavating, Plumb Supply, Randy’s Carpets, Cullen Painting, Beisser Lumber,
Gilcrest-Jewett, ACH Foam, MBA Concrete, Confluence Architects, Masterbuilt
Concrete, Steve’s Electric, Prairieland Fine Carpentry, Klostermann Construction,
Heery International, Nelson and Sons Plumbing, ACME Electric, A-One Geothermal,
Martin Construction, Sueppels Siding and Remodeling, Overhead Door, and Cabinet
Works. With news of this project
spreading, many more companies are finding ways to participate.
The ACE Mentor
program has extensive history and success in educating and promoting STEM
related activities. The unique partnerships created with industry and education
enables tremendous opportunities to reach students and other community members
on multiple levels.
If
you would like information on how to become involved in this or related
projects, please email Joe Greathouse from Kirkwood Community College at: joe.greathouse@kirkwood.edu
If
you would like to volunteer on the construction crew for the STEM Center (no
experience needed), please visit this Doodle poll to sign up: http://doodle.com/ryadxxgdggvztsfv
Please
also visit the following websites for additional information: www.explore-ace.org and www.acementor.org
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