Hensel Phelps is committed to educating the next generation about careers in construction. Last year, our teams visited schools, conferences and events across the U.S. to engage with kids through hands-on experiences. We proudly sponsored key events such as Transportation and Construction Girl Day, Construction Con, Big Build Day, Girl Scouts STEM Fest, Kuna School District Career Interest Fair and Hawai’i Construction Career Days while setting up creative interactive booths to captivate young minds.
One of the highlights was a workshop where kids created plant pots using 3D-printed molds and plaster. They learned about 3D printing construction models and pouring concrete while working together on the casting process, fostering teamwork as they mixed plaster and poured it into molds. Another workshop allowed kids to operate remote-controlled cranes and practice snapping chalk lines on paper, gaining a hands-on understanding of construction tools and techniques.
Our employees also offered kids opportunities to operate excavators, backhoes, skid steers, graders, rollers, telehandlers and concrete trucks. Additionally, they explored a 3D-printed model of one of our projects and used VR to fly through the model and laser scans virtually.
By connecting with youth this way, Hensel Phelps employees sparked interest in future careers in construction and design, showcasing the industry’s dynamic blend of creativity and technical skills. The smiles and excitement on the kids’ faces reflected the success of these initiatives and their potential to inspire the next generation of innovators in construction.