This content was published: July 13, 2005. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
High school students to construct eco-friendly building
Photos and story by James Hill
ROCK CREEK CAMPUS – A dozen high school students from Aloha, Franklin, and Benson are taking part in the second year of a three-year project of PCC’s Building Construction Technology program, called "Framing Student Success." 
This year, students are constructing an eco-friendly weather station on the Rock Creek Campus from 9 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. through July 22. The schedule includes straw bale installation (July 13-18); eco-roof construction (July 18-20); field trip to Oregon State University’s construction engineering and housing studies departments (July 21). The project, funded through the National Science Foundation, is a partnership between PCC, Oregon State University and the construction industry. The students will also use their construction skills and meet with the community garden committee at Rock Creek to help plan the building of a "green" structure.Last year, 16 juniors researched "green" materials, estimated building costs, designed and constructed a scaled model of a weather station for the Rock Creek Environmental Science Center."I am always in awe of the creative designs these kids come up with," said Spencer Hinkle, Building Construction Technology instructor. "Watching how engaged they are in building their models and presenting their designs reinforces my belief that meaningful hands-on learning gets results." 
Framing Students Success benefits include: " Increase knowledge among high school students, parents, teachers and counselors of rewarding careers in the construction industry and its educational pathways." Strengthen the math, science and writing skills among students in high school construction programs." Help high school math, science, English and construction teachers develop teaching methods designed to engage students." Develop "green" building summer courses in PCC’s Building Construction Technology Program to introduce high school students to construction careers.Partners in Framing Student Success include: Associated General Contractors, Oregon Building Congress, Home Builders Association, TrusJoist "A Weyerhaeuser Business," Renaissance Development Co., Jim Fisher Roofing, BMC West, Howard Thurston of New Paradigm Engineering, Neil Kelly Remodelers and Designers, Turner Construction, Emerick Construction Company, Yorke & Curtis General Contractors, NW Remodeling, Jane Barker of Thomas Hacker & Associates, Howard S. Wright, Colamette Construction, Walsh Construction, Whitaker Ellis, Dakota Remodeling, Lays Construction, Sequoia and Nathan D. Young Construction.
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 »