PCI is committed to developing unique content that cultivates productive relationships between the precast concrete industry and the academic community. No matter what the program we are supporting, the goal is always to create a positive, meaningful, and lasting impression on students who plan to work in the design and construction industry.
Build partnerships today that deliver hands-on experiential learning opportunities and take advantage of:
Putting Precast in the Classroom
Learn more about new precast concrete curricula established at the following Mid-Atlantic universities.
The Concrete Industry Management (CIM) at NJIT
Since program inception in 1996 at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), the program has expanded to the New Jersey Institute of Technology, California State University – Chico, and Texas State University. Prior to this grant, most students graduating from the CIM program at NJIT found employment with ready mix producers as they had little exposure to precast and prestressed concrete materials and methods in the CIM curriculum.
NJIT Hillier College of Architecture and Design (HCAD)
The PCI Research Studio at New Jersey Institute’s J. Robert and Barbara A. Hillier College of Architecture and Design focuses on the application of precast concrete in designing affordable housing micro-units. It gives students opportunities to learn how to transform design ideas into built reality. The two aspects of the studio, construction design and housing design, involve several industry partners.
University of Delaware Civil and Environmental Engineering
This PCI Foundation grant includes industry guest lectures, plant tours, student projects with close mentoring by precast partners, participation in Project Precast at the annual PCI Convention, UD Precast Career Fairs, Big Beam Competition, and attendance at PCI Mid-Atlantic membership meetings. Many networking opportunities and much hands-on industry collaboration!
University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design
The application of precast concrete, delivered in lecture, precedent, and applied design activities fits within broader architecture curricula goals and gives faculty the opportunity to refine existing courses. Lectures in construction and technology case-studies, delivered in the first two years study will be augmented, while technical seminars and design studios offered in the third and final year will be reimagined to give students more immediate opportunities to work with the material.
University of Virginia School of Architecture
Working with our industry partners, the Tindall Corporation and Metromont, and our colleagues in the UVA School of Engineering and Applied Science, the UVA School of Architecture aims to build competency in precast concrete design and construction and, equally important, work with the concrete industry towards sustainable design and construction technologies that take full advantage of concrete’s performative values and widespread availability.