Students from Albion, Valley Vista, and Royal View Elementary Schools learned about the building process for their new elementary school from Hammond Construction. The construction company visited the schools from January 14-16.
The presentation covered how the land is changed to begin building, the effect of soil on the building as well as some of the vehicles on site. Representatives from Hammond Construction broke down the steps it takes to build a school. They explained the first step is “location” when a decision must be made as to where the new school will be built. The next step is “design” and they talked about the job of an architect who creates the style of the school and plans the rooms and spaces in an “instruction manual” or blueprint.
Next comes the “review” process which explained that builders decide how much the project costs and make sure the school is built correctly. After the review process comes “bidding” where builders select subcontractors to build different pieces of the building.
The “construction” portion of the presentation included terminology and pictures at an elementary level. Students enjoyed learning about the excavation process of using machines to move large amounts of earth, and the stockpile of topsoil that is spread after the school is built so greenery can grow. In the middle of the presentation, there was an interactive session where two student volunteers showed the difference between soils in front of the assembly.
Students then heard about the utilities that transport water, sewage and electricity underground and the machines that grade the land to make it even. “Once the building pad surface is complete, the builders can lay the foundation, which is the base that holds the school up,” said Hammond Construction Representative Kim Adams. She then showed photos of the tools and vehicles used to build the walls of the school and then the final step of furnishing the school.
The presentation ended saying that in August 2021, there would be a new elementary school. Students were then able to sign a steel beam that will be one of the final beams placed in the new school.