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NSF grant awarded to PCC-led partnership
Photos and story by James Hill
PORTLAND, Ore. – The National Science Foundation has awarded Portland Community College’s Building Construction Technology (BCT) program a $697,750 grant over three years. The BCT program is located at the college’s Rock Creek Campus.PCC has partnered with Oregon State University, Portland Public Schools, Forest Grove High School, Scappoose High School, the Oregon Building Congress, the Associated General Contractors and several construction companies to provide the "Framing Student Success"project. This will help attack the problem of high school students’ under-preparation in math, science and technology.The project will develop a pathway from high school to community college and universities, and then to careers in building construction technology. The program establishes two new classes, provides summer work experiences in which students design and build a structure, and offers professional development for high school teachers and counselors about the requirements and rewards of a career in building construction technology.Fifty high school teachers and counselors will be trained to create pathways to success in construction and the means to help their students become successful. Project goals also include plans for 72 students to increase achievement in math and science with a greater understanding of the connection between traditional curriculum and the construction field. Plus, 24 community college faculty will be presented with new curriculum.Portland Community College is the largest post-secondary institution in Oregon, serving more than 100,000 students at three comprehensive campuses, four workforce training centers and more than 200 community locations in the Portland metropolitan area.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »