For Immediate Release: May 19, 2009
Media Contacts: Emma Filar, Marketing & Communications Associate
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Students at Joseph C. Ferguson Elementary School in Philadelphia to Present "Bridge to the Future" Project
Government and School Officials Join 6-8th Graders to Unveil Bridge Designs Created Through Semester-Long Project Using the National Building Museum’s Bridge Basics Program Kit Sponsored by Turner Construction Company
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The National Building Museum, in partnership with Turner Construction Company, will host a student-designed bridge-building presentation at the Joseph C. Ferguson Elementary School (2000 N. Seventh Street) in Philadelphia on Thursday, June 11, from 3:30-5:00 pm. At the event, students from the sixth through eighth grades, joined by representatives from the Museum, Turner, and invited government and school officials, will showcase a new bridge entrance into the City of Philadelphia, which they designed using the National Building Museum’s Bridge Basics Program Kit.
A school program designed to increase awareness of bridges and their importance to the built environment, Bridge Basics, has been offered at the Museum for more than 15 years. The program teaches fifth through ninth graders about bridge engineering and design through creative lesson plans that challenge students to solve transportation problems while balancing issues of materials, cost, geography, and aesthetics. Building on this success, the Museum introduced the Bridge Basics Program Kit in the fall of 2006, to demonstrate the value of using design education to teach math, science, civics, and communications skills, and to inspire young people to consider careers in the design and building industries.
In partnership with Turner Construction Company, the National Building Museum brought the Bridge Basics Program Kit to the Philadelphia community, free-of-charge, and with training for teachers. Philadelphia is a natural pilot city for the kit not only because of the prominence of bridges in the city, but also because of Turner’s commitment to the City of Philadelphia and to engaging young people with the built environment as part of a long-term effort to increase student interest in the building industry.
Michael J. Kuntz, vice president and general manager of Turner’s Philadelphia office stated that, “Turner is focused on preparing children for the workforce to address the needs of the construction industry. Therefore, Turner Construction Company is proud to add the sponsorship of Bridge Basics to the list of programs we support.” To further help teachers who have received the kits, Turner employees visit the classrooms to encourage students to consider careers in the built environment.
The Museum estimates that 2,500 children have been involved in the first year of the Bridge Basics Program Kit use in Philadelphia schools. In addition to Turner’s support, the Philadelphia Museum of Art has been instrumental in facilitating kit distribution to local teachers and providing a location for the Museum’s Educator Workshops, which show educators how to implement the curriculum in their classrooms. The Bridge Basics Program Kit is aligned with the Pennsylvania State Board of Education Academic Standard in mathematics, reading, writing, speaking and listening, science, and technology.
Joseph C. Ferguson Elementary School’s spring enrichment program is an excellent example of how the Bridge Basics Program Kit can be integrated into the classroom. The school’s enrichment teacher, Ms. Erika Saunders, used the kit with her sixth through eighth graders in a semester-long urban planning, design, and model construction project centered on creating a new bridge entrance into the City of Philadelphia. In Philadelphia's “Bridges to the Future” project, the students were tasked with selecting the bridge’s location and its structural design, as well as incorporating factors such as cost, project management, and aesthetics. Ms. Saunders explained, “Through this process, we have learned so much. The students were introduced to new career options, including architecture, urban planning, construction, and city government. Guest speakers from the Deputy Mayor’s Office and Turner Construction came to our school. Students learned the true meaning of teamwork, not only what it means to work together for a common goal, but also what happens when you don’t and the importance of working things out. The Bridge Basic Program Kit provided our students with more that just an education; it opened their eyes to the world.”
Mike Connor, a teacher at the Independence Charter School noted that, “[Bridge Basics] is a very easy-to-follow curriculum. Though I don't have any formal training in engineering, I am able to utilize the resources in a common sense manner to present it to the kids. It is very encouraging to see them use terms like 'span,' 'live loads,' or 'form versus function' at such a young age. The kids are already using these ideas in ways that show me they understand them internally to a great degree.”
Turner, among other industry partners, shares in the Museum’s vision to link design education with careers in the building industries by supporting the Museum’s national education initiatives. The Museum is currently exploring opportunities to expand the use of the Bridge Basics Program Kit to other cities across the country.
About Turner Construction Company
Turner provides building services to institutions that recognize the value of a partner that works diligently and creatively to find the best possible solution for each particular project. With construction volume of $10.7 billion in 2008, Turner ranks first or second in major segments of the construction industry. Turner maintains a nationwide network of offices and a staff of more than 5,500 employees, performing work on over 1,600 projects each year. Turner's nationwide presence offers clients the accessibility and support of a local firm with the strength, stability and resources of a national corporation.
About the National Building Museum
The National Building Museum is America’s leading cultural institution dedicated to advancing the quality of the built environment by educating people about its impact on their lives. Through its exhibitions, educational programs, online content, and publications, the Museum has become a vital forum for the exchange of ideas and information about the world we build for ourselves. Public inquiries: 202.272.2448 or visit www.nbm.org. Connect with us on Twitter: @BuildingMuseum and Facebook.
