An Innovative Partnering Approach: Industry Led Construction Labs

The University of Oklahoma Construction Science (CNS) program was challenged with implementing a hands-on materials and methods lab to support related coursework. With the help of the Board of Visitors (BOV) and industry partners, the division created the Construction Fundamentals Lab. The industry partners constructed a facility to conduct the labs and provided trade instructors to teach the hands-on skills. The course objective was for student work crews to construct a mockup of a typical exterior wall section on a formed reinforced concrete foundation. Each stage of the wall section construction was taught by a trade professional from that particular trade and most materials were donated by suppliers. The authors offer this replicable model for reinforcing the concepts of material and methods, construction tolerances, code and specification compliance, quality management, and safety concerns as the basis for other engineering and construction programs to explore in the development of similar lab experiences. As part of this paper the authors share their observations related to the initial course offering. The authors feel that many learning objectives can be met by the inclusion of preconstruction and post-construction activities with the physical construction of the simple wall. Partnering with industry benefits the program by providing facilities, materials, and instruction which in turn benefits industry by providing a path for university involvement in teaching future employees.