Last Push by New Tech West before Focusing on Final Project

Before the ACU Team from New Tech West sharpens their focus on their Final Project submission, some important class sessions were held that focused on sustainability, sketch-up and college preparation topics.



Kevin Swank explains the HVAC equipment



The students were fortunate to hear a detailed presentation from mentor Kevin Swank of Johnson Controls about sustainability issues and LEED design characteristics.  The students were extremely interested in the importance of recycling and the possibility of a wind farm on Lake Erie.  Kevin brought his companies’ HVAC display trailer unit for the students to get an up close view of how mechanical equipment and controls work.

Mentors Renee and Larry from Stantec led the students in a quick course in Sketch-up.  It is amazing how some students can pick up these new skills so quickly.  The group plans to have one or two students work on Sketch-up designs and incorporate them in the Final Presentation.

Rukia looks at what Nick and Jose are doing since she will
be incorporating the design in Sketch-up.

It is never too early to start thinking about college plans, and that was the topic that mentor Luke Ramsey of Chas E. Phipps, ACE Board of Director Ken Hale of Tri-C and special guest, Dr. Trent Gages, Tri-C Professor of Engineering, tackled at our last meeting.  The students learned about distinctions between 2 year and 4 year schools and got to learn about some of the courses and career opportunities in engineering.  Next year a more detailed meeting and possible tour to Tri-C may be held as the students will be Juniors and they should be looking at their secondary education options.



Nick speaks to Ken Hale and Dr. Trent Gages after their college presentation.



James Rhodes Learns About Construction Management from PCS

Blog by Glory A. Oliveras, ACE Student at James Rhodes 

On Monday, April 2 PCS lead our ACE session. As an introduction all of our mentors introduced themselves and explained their previous studies based on construction. They also spoke to us about how and where they graduated successfully from. Then later that day, we played the paper clip game. in this game you had to have a group of four teammates. Every group decided on a creative team name and began with 10 paper clips in the middle and then each teammate had to take as much paper clips as they pleased, but they had to watch out because you can't grab too many of them. We were not allowed communicate in any type of form or you will be called out for cheating. The team that had the highest amount of paper clips wins. LMAO won the first round, then the second round FANTASTIC 4 won. The two winning teams received candy bars as theis prize.  After the activity, PCS mentors described the role of a construction manager, and basically we learned that a construction manager is in charge if cost, quality, and safety. We also talked about the steps during the construction of the PNC Bank. Last, but not least, we looked into cost and time management. 

PCS is rebuilding a site where it used to be a pizzeria and a dry cleaners. The place really looked bad. The dry cleaners poured all of their chemicals into the sewers and contaminated the area. The constructors helped and cleaned out all of the chemicals which contaminated the area. They are now rebuilding the site which is located on East 83 on Carnegie.This really helps our city which is great. 

After we reviewed this project, we began another activity which was a cost estimation by putting in a bid. We also got the total cost of then single and double leaf door frames. In that activity the team LMAO won again. The last activity was putting together the steps to building a company or building. It was great. we didnt have enough time to see who the winner was, so everyone received a candy bar for their hard work. 

James Rhodes Pilot Program Kicks-Off with a LEED Scavenger Hunt

Blog by Andrea Negron, James Rhodes ACE Student


The ACE program at James Rhodes started out great! At our first meeting we divided into teams and participated in a scavenger hunt throughout the school to see how "green" our school really is. We learned about things we never even paid attention to in the school. After looking around we were able to name things we thought we could improve to make our school more environmentally friendly. Afterwards, students presented their ideas on ways to improve the school to the class and mentors talked about different design elements that increase the sustainability of school buildings.