Educational approaches in structural engineering have focused on classical methods for solving problems with manual calculations through assignments, quizzes, and exams. The use of computational software to apply the learned knowledge has been ignored for decades. This paper describes an educational approach to tackle the lack of applicable…

Object construction involves organizing multiple objects into a unified structure (e.g., stacking blocks into a tower) and may provide infants with unique spatial information. Because object construction entails placing objects in spatial locations relative to one another, infants can acquire information about spatial relations during construction…

The purpose of this report is to assess the collective impact of North Carolina Community Colleges on the state economy and the benefits generated by the colleges for students, society, and taxpayers. The results of this study show that North Carolina Community Colleges create a positive net impact on the state economy and generate a positive…

Building energy-efficient school facilities is not just about being "green." It is about providing high-performance facilities that are safe, healthy, and conducive to learning. It is also about building facilities that are cost-effective from their inception and in the long term. Many school districts are working under ever-tightening…

Research has shown that certain ways of teaching can make a difference in whether students learn standards-based content. Many strategies have proven to be effective in teaching literacy, mathematics, science and social studies. These strategies have facilitated blending academic and career/technical subjects to make learning more meaningful for…

The North Carolina General Assembly directed the State Building Commission to study the comparative costs of multi- and single-prime contracting and report the results to the 1995 General Assembly. Describes the analysis of data collected from governmental units that had awarded construction contracts. Identifies some alternative contracting…

Area design, plan diagrams, and planning procedures for athletic fieldhouses adopted by North Carolina schools are recommended in this guide. The fieldhouse, generally a separate building accommodating the football team, is used by other teams of both sexes during their sports season. Location should be near play areas and planned for building…

This guide is intended to assist vocational educators teaching a course in construction to relate the skills addressed in science courses to a particular vocational education course. The guide consists of a curriculum alignment chart that cross-references vocational performance indicators to science skills/competencies. The science competency…

This guide is intended for use in teaching a course to broaden students' appreciation and understanding of constructed items and the construction process. The course focuses on the steps that are taken after the design and engineering phase has been completed. Laboratory assignments allow students to explore the technical processes involved in the…

This guide is intended for use in teaching a course in construction planning and design. During the course, students learn how to use the project delivery process to design low-rise buildings and civil projects, simulate working in an architecture/engineering office that is organized into design teams, and use various management tools to monitor…

This guide is intended for use in teaching a course in construction systems. The course, which is intended for students in grades 9 and 10, examines construction technology in terms of a sequential process that includes the planning, building, and servicing of structures. The first two sections discuss the guide's development within the framework…

This curriculum guide provides competency statements/objectives for an 11th- to 12th-grade trade and industrial education course in carpentry. The first half of the guide consists of competency statements for the 35 units of the curriculum. Each competency statement consists of a terminal objective and specific objectives for each unit, referenced…

This curriculum guide provides competency statements/objectives for an 11th- to 12th-grade trade and industrial education course in mechanical systems. The first half of the guide consists of competency statements for the 53 units of the curriculum. Each competency statement consists of a terminal objective and specific objectives for each unit,…