Opening the Door to Construction Careers for Kids

Building and construction has given humans the ability to completely change the world around them. Bridges have connected land separated by water, roadways have been created to connect large cities to small rural towns, power plants have generated energy for millions of homes around the world, and buildings and homes have been engineered and constructed giving shelter to many. Construction has played an important role for humanity throughout history. We study the design methods and materials used by those from ancient times to recent history. Far into the future, humans will look back at what has been created today as a way to not only understand culture, but also to build on designs and technologies that we use. Working in the construction industry allows people to be a part of making history. If you have ever considered a career in construction, you will find information below on different careers and how to build a career in construction.

For Students

• NAWIC Education Foundation: An organization dedicated to promote and educate children of construction industry careers.
• Building Careers: An interactive resource that includes games, a fact sheet on construction, and other education tools for children interested in the construction industry.
• Construct My Future: An organization that provides great resources and information for children and teens that includes industry information, career choices, and scholarship information for education in construction.
• Kikki’s Workshop: An interactive website that features games to education children and adults about construction equipment.
• CEFGA: An association aimed at providing students and teachers the best resources for career prospects, education, scholarships and other training for the construction industry.
• Sisters in the Building Trade: A women’s organization that sponsors and mentors girls interested in careers in the building industry.
• Building Big: An extensive interactive exploration of what it takes to build large structures with many challenges for kids to try.
• B 4 U Build: A resource for kids that real life explorations of building infrastructures as well as plans for playhouses and forts that can be built.
• If You Like Building and Fixing Things, Then Look at These Possible Careers: Thorough analysis of careers involved in building.
• Try Tools: An online resource for construction information for youth interested in entering this field.
• Discover Engineering: A fantastic engineering page for kids with career profiles, videos, and more.
• B 4 U Build: An architecture, building and construction links page for kids.
• ArchKidecture: A site aimed at teaching kids about the field of architecture.
• Architect Studio 3D: An interactive site for kids from the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation and Trust.

For Teachers and Parents

• Construction Futures Reading: A PDF resource that lists books and reading material for kids to learn more about the construction industry.
• Engineering Go For It: Lesson plans for teachers for children interested in engineering. There are lesson plans for grades K-12.
• Power Up: A teacher’s resource for lesson plans that include engineering, power, and other similar subjects.
• Try Engineering: Training modules and lesson plans for teachers that focus on engineering for children ages 8 to 18.
• Engineer It: Mid-America Science Museum offer a section for teachers that include lesson plans, exhibits and other curriculum resources.
• Building and Construction: 42 Explore offers a large resource list for teachers having to do with building and construction.
• Career Aisle: This educational site offers info on the architecture and construction career cluster with videos and information pertaining to those fields.
• Building Bridges: An Internet webquest on the study of bridges.
• Drafting Architectural WebQuest: A great WebQuest that combines the world of engineering with the world of fine arts and architecture.
• Roller Coaster Designer: An engineering WebQuest about our favorite ride at the amusement park.
• File Card Bridges: A great lesson and activity for students involving building a bridge out of file cards.
• eGFI Welcome Teachers: A page for educators with lesson plans, class activities, out reach programs, web resources and more focused on engineering.
• Construction Cares for Children: This organization gives back to the community and helps to educate children and families.
• Habitat for Humanity: A non-profit organization that builds homes for those in need worldwide. Adults and children are encouraged to participate.
• Global Volunteers: An international volunteer organization for children and adults who work full time in service of others assisting community based projects.
• Timberlake Farm and Wilderness Camp: A summer camp for teens ages 15-17 that teaches construction of a cabin built from the ground up and farming skills.
• Woodworking Projects – Teach Your Kids Woodworking: An article for parents on passing on their passion for woodworking along with kid friend projects and resources.