Students from Colorado State University’s Department of Construction Management are continuing a long-standing tradition of participating in regional and national competitions, albeit virtually this year.
CM is fielding teams for the Associated Schools of Construction, Regions 6 & 7 student competition, the Associated Builders and Contractors Construction Management Competition, and the Roofing Alliance Construction Management student competition. See all of this year’s teams on the CM Competition website page.
Three teams place in ASC competition
The CM department had over 40 students, making up six teams and seven alternates, participate in the 34th Annual ASC Regions 6 & 7 Student Competition held Feb. 3-6. This year ASC hosted 1,098 students on 152 teams, from 18 states and 47 universities in a virtual competition. CSU students showcased their knowledge, creativity and presentation skills, fielding teams in six categories: Commercial, Heavy Civil, Mixed Use, Preconstruction, Sustainability, and Virtual Design and Construction.
Three teams were recognized with awards in the Region 6 and Open Problem competitions. The Preconstruction team earned first place in a three-phase problem sponsored by PCL Construction.
The PCL problem statement explained the charge: “The objective of this competition is to increase students’ exposure to the everyday occurrence of preconstruction tasks in today’s construction environment. The problem proposed will be typical to the required tasks performed by a contractor during the preconstruction phase of a project.”
When asked about the teamwork during the heat of timed competition, one student team member, alternate Kendall Peterson, said, “I think the pressure is what brought the team together. It lit fires beneath us and in return pushed us to work harder together. The late nights and long hours created some of the best ideas.”
“Overall the best experience was having a team that was so dedicated and passionate,” team captain Jessica Anderson-Arends said. “As team captain, I’m honored to have worked with excellent team members that each taught me valuable skills and lessons that I’ll use for the rest of my career. I am really so proud of everyone.”
Continuing an impressive awards record, the Virtual Design & Construction team earned second place. The problem was sponsored by Webcor, which evaluated students on their demonstrated understanding of VDC in the following main areas: Logistics and Coordination (2D & 3D), Scheduling & Production Control (4D), Estimating (5D), Facilities Management (6D), and Communication (written, verbal and presentation).
The Commercial team earned third place for its submittal on a problem sponsored by Mortenson about a hospitality project intended to boost tourism with concrete quality and safety being a high priority for planning and scheduling due to severe weather in the project location.
All of the teams did incredible work and displayed CM’s great Ram Built spirit. In the competition closing ceremony, Region 6 Director Justin Weidman shared his appreciation for all participants.
“To all of the students that participated, we really are grateful that you took the time and effort to invest in yourselves and your education, and to make this competition a success,” he said.
ABC and Roofing teams prepare for competition
The ABC team is working now on the first phase of its project that was released Feb. 3, with submissions due March 30. ABC describes the competition as “designed to challenge construction knowledge, organization, time management, and presentation skills, giving the nation’s top construction management students a glimpse into the real world of construction as well as an opportunity to showcase their talents. In addition to providing a significant learning opportunity, the competition fosters an environment that will bring out the best in each team; encourage dialogue among the students; and foster team spirit as students rise to meet this challenge.”
The Roofing team is also preparing for the Roofing Alliance’s seventh annual Construction Management Student Competition.
This year, the teams were tasked with submitting a qualified bid package for a new roof system on the Las Vegas Raiders’ practice facility, part of the new Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center in Henderson, Nevada.
“Through written and oral presentations, university-level construction management students will demonstrate their roofing knowledge, project management capabilities and presentation skills,” according to the National Roofing Contractors Association. “The teams research the project, review the plans and specifications, and assemble a full estimate and qualified bid package proposal that is submitted to a board of Roofing Alliance judges.”
The Department of Construction Management is part of CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.
