NCPA Staff Conduct Virtual Precast Education at Universities and Colleges Across the U.S.

NPCA technical staff conducted four virtual presentations for construction management and civil engineering programs at schools across the country between late January and mid-February.

NPCA Director of Codes and Standards Eric Carleton, P.E., guest lectured for a heavy construction techniques course at the University of Washington on Jan. 28.

Carleton’s presentation covered accelerated bridge construction and was well received by Professor John Schaufelberger’s class of construction management seniors. NPCA hopes to expand its future presence at the University of Washington by connecting with civil engineering faculty through Professor Schaufelberger.

On Feb. 11, NPCA technical staff conducted two more virtual presentations at Midwestern schools.

NPCA Director of Workforce Development Alex Morales, M.Ed., guest lectured for students enrolled in the Concrete Technology program at Alpena Community College, home of the World Center for Concrete Technology (WCCT). The presentation outlined differences between precast and prestressed concrete, quality control activities in precast plants with reference to NPCA’s QC Manual, and career potential in the precast industry.

NPCA Director of Outreach and Technical Education Claude Goguen, P.E., LEED AP, offered precast education to Trine University’s ASCE Student Chapter on Feb. 11 as well.

NPCA technical staff has conducted precast education at Trine University each year dating back to 2013.

Most recently, Carleton offered a virtual guest lecture for the Civil Engineering Senior Design Course at Purdue University. NPCA has a longstanding relationship with Professor Robert Jacko and the program.  NPCA technical staff has given 14 precast presentations, resulting in nearly 1,000 civil engineering students learning more about the benefits and applications of precast concrete.

These virtual precast presentations educated 163 students across the country within a two-week period.

For more information on how to get involved in NPCA’s efforts to conduct outreach in the academic community, please contact Ashley Benson.