Civil Engineering & Architecture Students Volunteer at Habitat For Humanity
Several students in Central Campus’s PLTW: Civil Engineering & Architecture class volunteered at a home being built by Habitat for Humanity on Saturday, October 17th. Eight students, two dads, and two teachers volunteered their time at the home being built at 3305 8th St. in Des Moines. Volunteers at the build were tasked with installing siding. This involved attaching furring strips to the sheathing and then nailing the siding on, leaving an air gap between the siding and the foamboard sheathing. All of this while running saws and climbing ladders. Students had to prepare by going through a training session from Habitat’s online training system.
The experience was fun and allowed for students to give back to the members in the community. While on the job, students got a feel for the construction and layout aspects of the house. Students are tasked with designing an affordable home in class using Habitat for Humanity’s construction specifications. Students now have a better idea for their house designs and the space allowed. Over the course of the project students will look at foundations, electrical and plumbing systems, site planning, water supply, wastewater management, calculating property drainage, and estimation. Green building, universal and sustainable design is also considered in the design of the home.
Pictured from left: Will V., Brock S., Jessica M., Bridget J., Zoe H., (Behind Zoe) Engineering/Architecture Teacher Clint Gadbury, Jonnathan G., Parent Michael S., Alex S., Thomas K., Parent Robert V., (Not Pictured) Home Building Teacher Ben Molloy
PLTW: Civil Engineering & Architecture at Central Campus is a third level specialization course where students can earn DMACC or University of Iowa or Iowa State University credit. Central Campus also offers PLTW courses Digital Electronics & Robotics, Computer Science & Software Engineering, and Engineering Design & Development.
For more information, feel free to contact Mr. Gadbury at clinton.gadbury@dmschools.org.
For more information on the PLTW program at Central Campus, please visit https://centralcampus.dmschools.org/engineering/.
For more information about the Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity, please visit http://www.gdmhabitat.org/.
