BUILD UP

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT BUILD UP!
What is Build Up!? Build Up! is specifically aimed at fifth graders, but over time the campaign will expand to include other educational initiatives and community based programs. (Plans are underway to expand Construction Futures to include programs targeted at junior high and high school students.) This fifth-grade educational curriculum will be packaged and delivered to teachers in a Build Up! Tool Kit.
Why does Build Up! target students in the 5th grade? Build Up! takes aim at fifth graders, mainly 10-year-olds, because they have the motor skills to work with hands-on materials. It is also at this age that children begin eliminating career choices that they find less enticing. Furthermore, according to U. S. Census data and birth rates, children between the ages of 5- and 14-years-old represent the second post-war baby boom, and they comprise approximately 15 percent of the entire U.S. population. With this in mind, fifth graders were chosen because they represent the mid-point of the post-war baby boom.
What materials are available to help? PROMOTIONAL VIDEO: Build Up! in the Classroom: Shows a Build Up! kit being used. AGC of Ohio has copies to give to contractors. It can also be viewed from AGC of America's website. SAMPLE LETTER TO SCHOOLS: Can be used as a guide when writing letters to send to schools, asking them if they would like to receive a Build Up! Tool Kit. SAMPLE TOOL KITS: AGC of Ohio has a few Build Up! tool kits that members can borrow to show to potential teachers and schools. BLUEPRINT FOR VISITING THE CLASSROOM: Discusses how to arrange a class visit as well as do's and don'ts for the visit. Any of these materials can be obtained by contacting AGC of Ohio or visiting the "Information for Contractors & Industry Sponsors" link of the "Education" section of AGC of America's website www.agc.org. To order a kit or for more information, contact Andrea Ashely at AGC of Ohio (614) 486-6446 or e-mail andrea@agcohio.com. You can also visit the Education section of AGC of America's website www.agc.org
What is included in the Build Up! Tool Kit? The Build Up! Tool Kit is shaped like a toolbox and made of colorful cardboard. This kit includes activities designed to educate children on the construction industry, emphasizing the positive impact on the environment and the importance of construction site safety for children. It contains the following materials: Build Up! Teaching Guide—activities and lesson plans for hands-on activities and resources "How Do They Build Bridges" Video—an up-close look behind the scenes at the construction of bridges Family Pages—student take home materials that stresses construction site safety for children and suggests family explorations for the entire family to enjoy Teacher Wrap—a packet of supplemental and enrichment activities for the students designed to complement and link the Build Up! Teaching Guide and Family Pages Teacher Questionnaire—solicits feedback from teachers on how to improve the teaching materials and activities Consumable Materials for classroom projects—includes 12" pipe cleaners, Popsicle sticks, modeling clay, and 12" rulers for hands-on activities 4-color Build Up! Poster—showcases a city under construction with classroom activities on poster back *Up Goes the Skyscraper* *Book* by Gail Gibbons—each kit contains 8 copies
How does a teacher replace the consumable items in the tool kit? The consumable items in the kit include pipe cleaners, Popsicle sticks, modeling clay, and 12" rulers for hands-on activities. Each kit contains enough material for 30 students. These items may be replenished by the sponsor or the school for approximately $10-$20 per year.
How will a teacher receive the Build Up! Tool Kit? Once a contractor places an order for a Build Up! Tool Kit to AGC of Ohio, the order is immediately sent to AGC of America and Scholastic, Inc. for fulfillment. Teachers should receive a kit within 4 weeks from when it was ordered. Approximately two weeks after a kit arrives, teachers will receive a follow-up letter that provides the name of the individual or company who sponsored their tool kit.
What materials do sponsors receive to help market the kits? Sponsors receive a Sponsor Information Kit and notification that the Build Up! Tool Kit has been delivered. The Sponsor Information Kit includes instructions for contacting the teacher, visiting the classroom (if the sponsor wishes), and conducting a hands-on activity that can be led during the visit. A sample draft press release and letter to the teacher are also included.
How long will it take a teacher and class to cover the Build Up! material? The Build Up! Teacher's Guide and Teacher's Wrap include approximately 25, one-hour lesson plans, activities and hands-on exercises designed to be taught over a 2-3 week period. The amount of time spent and material covered by a class greatly depends on the teacher and the activities he/she chooses to use. Some teachers choose to only do one or two of the hands-on activities, while others spend more time on the material provided.
How much does the Build Up! Tool Kit cost? There is no cost to teachers. AGC members, chapters and others may sponsor kits at a cost of $185 each. Build Up! kits can be shared between classrooms and teachers.
Can (and will) teachers share Build Up! Tool Kits? The Build Up! Tool Kit was designed for a class of 30 students. As long as teachers do not plan to use the Tool Kit at the same time during the school year, they can (and most likely will) share it. During the school year, several teachers could share the same kit as long as the consumable items are replenished. It is estimated that the life of a Build Up! Tool Kit is approximately three to five years, depending on how well the kit is taken care of. When you consider this potential, the actual cost of each Build Up! Tool Kit will be less than $1 per student.
How do you know what teachers are interested in Build Up!? Sponsor companies can contact schools or teachers in their area to see if they are interested in the Build Up! program. Some companies have donated kits to schools where their employees’ children attend, and others to schools in which they are renovating or building new facilities. A list of Central Ohio teachers and schools who have shown interest in the Build Up! program is available through AGC. Sample Build Up! Tool Kits that can be lent out to companies to use while presenting the program to a school. TALK TO YOUR OWNERS: Donate kits to school systems in which your company is renovating or building schools, or has done so in the past. USE YOUR EMPLOYEES: Distribute memos to employees asking if they know any fifth-grade teachers or have children in the fifth-grade. Contact those teachers and then encourage your employees who responded to participate in an activity with the students. VISIT YOUR ALMA MADDER: Contact the elementary school you attended. Schools love to hear about past students who are successful! CONTACT YOUR LOCAL JVS: Joint vocational schools know the elementary schools from which most of their students come. Obtain a list of schools from them and then contact the principal to see if any teachers might be interested. LOOK AROUND YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD: Contact the elementary school in your neighborhood or the one your children attended.