PCI Foundation Celebrates 10 Years of Education Programs
2016 marked the 10th anniversary of educational programs sponsored by the PCI Foundation - and had its busiest year ever in terms of dollars granted and students and professors involved in our programs.
The PCI Foundation sponsored 10 studios during 2016. This was our most active year to date, and we had programs that spanned across the US. They also included programs in architecture, engineering and construction management. We worked with 18 professors who had about 200 students in their programs and provided about $235,000 in grants.
In the Classroom
During 2016, we sponsored programs at the following schools.
Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina
Minnesota State University at Mankato, Mankato, Minnesota
Rhode Island School o f Design, Providence, Rhode Island
South Dakota State University, Brooking, South Dakota
University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas
University of Washington, Seattle Washington
Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri

The key to making each of these programs successful comes from how the professors works in partnership with a local precaster, engineering firm or region to ensure that the content of the courses meets not only the curriculum requirements of the school, but also the local needs of the local partners. Before the semester begins, the local partner meets with the professor and not only sets up visits to plants and jobsites, but also contributes to the syllabus and comes into the classroom to ensure that students understand the design requirements of precast concrete.
At the Convention
An important part of our program is to offer opportunities for PCI members to interact with students and professors at all of our programs. Students from most of the schools we work with came to the PCI Convention to share their projects and meet with PCI members during the Precast Show at a poster session. Students display both architectural projects they have designed, but also have information on materials research or digital fabrication techniques being explored in the classroom.
