Student ProjectsConstruction Institute
Project Manager
Karina Paxton Filoteo
ASCE Construction Institute Team
Amount Requested
$5,000
Summary
The objective of Construction Institute (CI) is to enable students to solve real-world construction engineering problems. At the Western Great Lakes ASCE Conference, the team is provided a client request for a civil project. The team then works for two hours to create a ten-minute construction proposal. This process simulates the process students will carry out as engineers working in a construction firm, including analysis of the problem, quick innovative solutions, and adherence to the requests of the clients. CI provides students with development of teamwork, problem-solving skills, and professional experience in construction management.
Planned Activities/Investments
Activities planned for CI include general member meetings, informational sessions with professionals in construction, and training events. The beginning meeting will include recruitment for new members that transition into training for members to understand the competition requirements and skills (ex., calculations, handmade diagrams, report writing style, etc.). Also, the CI team is in the process of planning an event with Jash Joshi, a project manager at a construction firm, to further develop the team’s calculation skills and understanding of construction management’s real-world application. After training with these skills, members will begin practicing with full-length (3+ hours) mock proposals, creating the required presentation of the solution. This equates to biweekly meetings leading up to the conference, with 1-2 meetings having full-length mock proposals and solutions.
Impact
CI provides a positive team and educational impact on its members. This impact is easily quantified through the performance of the team at the conference. Judged by professionals in construction, the Northwestern CI team will receive a score, feedback, and a ranking compared to other teams. Beyond the conference, the impact of CI appears within the growth and development of its members' skills in performing calculations, writing, diagramming, and presenting for a given construction project. This impact can be seen in the mock proposals and solution meetings where all members get to practice responding to a proposal.
Deliverables
CI produces a presentation as the final deliverable for the Western Great Lakes ASCE Conference. Prior to the presentation, four members of the Northwestern team will receive a proposal from the competition that requires them to analyze the clients’ request, innovate various solutions, and condense their work into a presentation that mirrors a Request for Proposal (RFP) where professional firms explain why they should be hired for a specific project. This includes outlining engineering methods, qualifying skills, and management of time and resources. The team has two hours after receiving the proposal to conduct cost estimates, sustainability analyses, risk evaluations, quality assurance, and a project schedule. These analyses lead to a final solution that must be communicated through a presentation to a panel of judges followed by questions.
Budget Overview
- Drawing supplies for required diagrams and pictures (one-time upfront cost): $275
- Meetings (food for longer practice sessions): $300
- Event with Jash Joshi (whole team, transportation, food): $750
- Round-Trip flights to Conference in North Dakota (4 members): $2000
- Hotel for Conference in North Dakota (4 members): $400
- Conference Registration Fee (4 members): $600
- Car Rental for Transportation at Conference: $550
Total Budget Amount: $4,875
Faculty Adviser/Department
Eric Garcia/Civil and Environmental Engineering