Construction class builds models

The Grambling State Univerity Engineering Technology Department is giving their students a hands-on experience when it comes to building a house.Students that registered for CET 301- Construction materials, methods, equipment and estimating, taught by John Frazier during the Spring 2011 semester, were assigned a class project to draw and build a model house. The project consisted of three different model houses to challenge students to apply information learned in class.


"The intent of the project was to help students understand the construction process through problem-based learning techniques applicable to real life situations," Frazier said.


Frazier explained that after students were taught construction methods, equipment and estimating materials, they began the project. The class was divided into three teams which selected a foreman to lead the team.


Each team was assigned a specific model house to build. They had to draw their specific house plan using a 3/4" scale (3/4" = one foot). The teams were required to build their model according to the plans and specifications from their drawings.


Each team assimilated the roles and responsibilities of a real construction team.


Led by the foreman, each team had to estimate the quantity and type of materials needed to construct the model. Materials used included, balsa wood, wood glue and pins. Styrofoam was used for the foundation/base of the model.


Frazier decided to stage the project as a contest to help stimulate the students' interest and motivation.


"The students accepted the challenge and were determined to complete the task by the deadline just as true construction teams must do," Frazier said. Through many hours of work and dedication, each team successfully completed the construction of their model houses.


Team two, Alawn George, Christal Denys, and Carlton Regis, won the contest.


"By undergoing this project we gained valuable hands-on experience in the field of construction that enabled us to see the importance of good, sound construction, working as a team, estimating materials and conforming to time constraints and deadlines," said George, team two foreman.


He said, "We would like to thank professor Frazier for providing the materials and teaching us the fundamentals required in building this model house."


"Initially, my group had a slow start but we increased our effort and spent more time before and after classes in order to catch up and complete the project," said Maurice Simpson, a senior from Portmore City, Jamaica. Simpson was foreman for group three. Other team members included, Joaan Annelle, Shervin Blasse and Loomis Martin.


Simpson said, "I would like to thank Mr. Frazier for allowing us to have such a wonderful experience by devising such an ingenious method, in which we as students can learn from ourselves, as well as the project without leaving the classroom."


"The process was challenging, and being the foreman it was my responsibility to ensure that the project was completed. We encountered many problems in which we had to improvise and develop alternative solutions. We learned that in order to complete a project, teamwork is vital. Any project is bound to be successful once there is exceptional team dynamics," he said.


Team one consisted of Telvin Conway, Clifton Gideon, Kishan Butcher and Benjamin Gray.

"The work didn't move as quickly as the other groups, due to a setback caused by the reconstruction of the foundation and the loss in materials," said Butcher, forman.


She said that persistence and hard work led to the successful completion of their A-frame model building.


The competition was judged by Dr. Olusegun Adeyemi, Head of the Engineering Technology Department, Dr. Edwin Thomas, DDET coordinator and Amy Jones, professor in the department.
The final projects were judged on the basis of the students' oral presentations explaining the model construction project and on the accuracy, neatness and overall general appearance of the model.