Greater Michigan Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors Sponsor Teacher Training Directed at Science Education Standards

Over thirty science teachers from throughout the Greater Michigan area participated in a two day workshop on internal and thermal energy, sponsored by the Greater Michigan Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors Association. The teachers observed and conducted dozens of demonstrations and student investigations they can use to enhance their instructional tool-box.

It also gave the industry the opportunity to showcase two amazing buildings, the United Association Great Lakes Training Center on the Campus of Washtenaw Community College and the Granger HVACR Building on the Campus of Ferris State University.

The most exciting demonstrations had teachers releasing the hidden heat found in all liquids,igniting cotton fibers with compressed air, and making a liquid rise from the heat of their hands. Written and video taped instructions for over 50 demonstrations and seven student laboratory investigations were provided to teachers.

"Internal and thermal energy concepts are significant components of Michigan's science education standards," said Sandra Miller, President of the Greater Michigan Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors Association. "Our members welcome the opportunity to assist teachers with an area of science and technology that we are involved with on a daily basis."

The first workshop was held for 22 teachers in the Washtenaw, Livingston, Oakland county area, and conducted at the UA's Great Lakes Training Center, a state of the art training center that the teachers were extraordinarily impressed with. Workshops were conducted by the National Foundation for Energy Education (NFEE), a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging energy related organizations' participation in the classroom.

Construction - The Opportunity Industry -Sponsors Programs at Michigan School Boards Conference

The Michigan Construction Industry, under the banner "Construction, the Opportunity Industry" was very prominent during the Michigan Association of School Boards Annual Leadership Conference.

The Mission of the MSBO is to continually improve the leadership and management in school business with operational services, while enhancing the professional, social, and economic well-being of its members.

A number of organizations, including Greater MI PMC and Michigan MCA participated in a ten booth area, exhibiting as a "Construction Jobsite". The site was tremendously well-received with a great amount of interests from the school board members.

School Board members (pictured left) stopped and filled out surveys regarding their experiences with the organized construction industry. On the whole, the Construction Industry has been very involved in the past six conferences of the MSBO with booths, sponsorships, and speakers for workshops. We also have presented a number of prizes for their activities.

The Industry's exhibits were directed at teaching the School Board members how to best utilize the members of the organized industry.

Pictured right - Jerry Katz from the National Foundation for Energy Education also participated at the booth