The parking lot at Cosumnes River College turned into a temporary construction zone May 2-3 as students from sixteen Sacramento region high schools competed in the 26th Annual Sacramento Regional Builders Exchange Design/Build Competition.
The two-day event is designed to promote awareness and interest among high school students in the construction and architectural design industries, as well as create a fun learning atmosphere. The student teams design and build 96 square foot structures from scratch, with materials provided by the Sacramento Regional Builders Exchange (SRBX) through its membership.
"This nationally recognized program is a great opportunity for high school students to gain firsthand knowledge of the construction industry and get real work, hands-on experience," said Tim Taylor, Sacramento County Office of Education Assistant Superintendent of Court and Community Schools and ROP. "The students and teachers involved in Design/Build are highly motivated."
After the competition, the students sell their structures to help fund their future school's future projects or Regional Occupational Program (ROP) classes. The structures are judged on design, building construction, safety, and teamwork. This program allows students to get a real-world experience with teamwork, materials, planning, and craftsmanship.
"The Design/Build contest is the most real-world situation you could provide a student. They show up and there's a pile of wood on the ground, and in two days you leave with a building. It doesn't get any more real than that in the world of work," says Jeff Magill of Sheldon High School.
High Schools that participated in the 2012 Design/Build include: Cosumnes Oaks, Cordova, Delta, Esparto, Golden Sierra, Gridley, Linden, Live Oak, Luther Burbank, Rio Vista, River City, Sheldon, Wheatland, William Daylor, Winters, and Woodland.
The Design/Build program was started by the Sacramento Regional Builders Exchange in 1986. The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) is one of the event sponsors.