Throughout the month of May, staff from the New York City Department of Buildings visited high schools and elementary schools across the five boroughs to participate in career days, hold Builder’s Challenge events, and gave presentations for our annual Junior Architects and Engineers program.
These visits were designed to foster interest in the building trades and in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields among New York City public school students, with tailored presentations and activities for students of all ages.
DOB architects, engineers, and inspectors visited a total of 12 schools conducting interactive presentations, as well holding Q&A sessions with more than 1,500 students.
The presentations included an overview of city buildings, the relationship between buildings and the environment, and the role that architects, engineers and construction professionals play in designing and constructing NYC’s built environment.
DOB staff spoke with high school students about career opportunities in New York City’s construction and development industries, as well as providing their own experience working in public service for the City of New York.
Elementary school students were shown how math was used to construct the 1.1 million buildings that make up the city, and were also invited to participate in a Builder’s Challenge competition, to see who can construct the tallest tower using only marshmallows and uncooked spaghetti as building materials.
“The buildings and infrastructure that will sustain New Yorkers into the future will not be built by us, but by the generations that come after us,” said Acting Buildings Commissioner Thomas Fariello, R.A.
“That is why we must continue to engage with our city’s students, getting them interested in math and science, and encouraging this next generation of architects, engineers, and construction professionals.”
