Increasing student construction interest by engaging elementary students in an inquiry-based 3D modelling after school program

Abstract

This study was part of a two-year funded grant investigating how to increase student interest and consequent enrollment in construction education. The specifics of this aspect of the study involved a grass-roots movement where construction education was introduced to elementary students (grades 4 - 6). The research model involved giving the students a construction interest inventory and career placement inventory pre-and post-participation in an after-school 3D modeling construction centric curriculum. The curriculum introduced students to the construction fields by giving the students weekly snapshots into construction careers, and also required the students to learn about floor and elevation plans. Students were then taught and expected to design a 3D computer model of a home using Minecraft and Sketchup. The students were provided 4 different models to choose from. The course used a competition based pedagogy where the best home designs were awarded prizes. The results show that student interest after this single intervention (1 semester in length) increased student interest in careers associated to construction.