This paper presents the experience of a group of Construction and Building Materials lecturers following the introduction of a new contest-based gamification activity aimed at improving interest and learning outcomes in the course. Students' motivation is of key importance in utilizing educational activities for study and learning in the subject.…

A Virtual Steel Connection Sculpture was developed through a grant from the National Science Foundation. The Virtual Sculpture is an interactive tool that shows students and anyone interested in connections how steel members are connected. This tool is created to complement students' steel design courses. The features of this educational tool,…

This paper is about the experience of teaching Assembly for Disassembly to fourth year architect students within the module of sustainable design. When designing a sustainable building one should take into consideration the fact that the building is going to be demolished in some years; thus the materials should be assembled in such a way so that…

In Rover's House project, students practice planning, measurement, layout, and processing skills in building a doghouse. The project is more than a doghouse--it is a learning activity that helps students develop and enhance their ability to work with reinforced concrete, steel and wood studs, trusses, roofing materials and a variety of…

The procedures needed to make hollow blocks from palay hull, sawdust, soil, or sand are outlined in this module. Also outlined are the procedures needed to construct the wooden molds used to make the blocks. The hollow blocks can be used in building a one story house where the roof does not rest on the hollow block wall, an additional room to the…

This testbook contains objective tests for each topic in the "Tilesetting Workbook" (see note) for use in the classroom portions of the union four-year apprentice tilesetting program in California. Tests are all multiple choice and are usually two pages in length. Tests are provided for each of the 44 topics covered in the five units of…

This short course in plastering was adapted from military curriculum materials for use in vocational education. The course is designed to teach students to mix mortar for plastering by using the six-cubic-foot mortar mixer and learn plastering techniques by completing assigned plastering projects. Course materials are provided for both classroom…

This workbook is designed for classroom use by apprentices in four-year union tilesetting programs in California. The workbook is composed of five units covering all aspects of the tilesetting process. Unit 1 introduces the tilesetting trade, including history and scope of the trade, safe working practices, and trade organizations. Unit 2…

This second in a series of six modules for a course titled Civil/Structural Inspection describes the materials used in structural steel work; the standards according to which materials are purchased and inspected; fabrication, handling, and installation practices; and the various inspection tasks performed during erection operations. The module…

This paper describes the use of undergraduate materials multidisciplinary research projects as a means of addressing the growing industrial demand for graduates experienced in working in multidisciplinary teams. It includes a detailed description of a project in which a multidisciplinary team of chemical engineering and civil engineering students…

In this article, the author presents an overview of concrete as a building material and as an example of a particle composite, and discusses the origins of concrete in ancient Rome. He then describes an activity in which students can cast a concrete patio stone. Students can apply the technological design process, as well as the elements of…

This interdisciplinary curriculum provides students with the opportunity to learn about the connection between natural resources and buildings while practicing skills in language arts, math, science, social studies, and visual arts. The learning activities are divided by topic into 15 Building Blocks (units). These units cover such topics as…

This curriculum guide, one of six modules keyed to the building maintenance competency profile developed by industry and education professionals, provides materials for a masonry procedures unit containing eight lessons. Lesson topics are masonry safety practices; set forms; mix concrete; patch and/or repair concrete; pour and finish concrete; mix…

This short course in welding high and low pressure lines was adapted from military curriculum materials for use in vocational education. The course is designed to teach safety requirements for work with high and low pressure pipelines; pipe welding requirements and specifications; special pipeline repair welding applications; layout of pipe…

This instructor's guide contains the materials required to teach a competency-based introductory course in insulation to students who have chosen to explore careers in construction. It contains three units: instructional unit includes some or all of the basic components of a unit of instruction: performance objectives, suggested activities for the…