BuildingLab Pre-College Program
The BCT BuildingLab is a two-week immersive pre-college program for high school students interested in exploring construction, building science, sustainability, engineering, building design, technology, and discovering related career paths. Rising 10th – 12th graders get a feel for what college is like while earning two (2) college credits that can be applied towards the Building Construction Technology Program (BCT) at UMass, or others.
Students in this program learn about the built environment by doing – they explore and apply building science and sustainability principles in the real-world classroom of the Amherst area (including the UMass Amherst flagship campus and its surrounding college-town area).
The BCT BuildingLab course format combines hands-on activities with field trips that may include:
- Build projects, including the use of our shop
- Use of emergent technologies (drones, infrared cameras, air quality testing, AR/VR)
- Construction site tours
- Designing with software (SketchUp, Minecraft, AutoCAD)
- Fabrication tools (3D printers, laser cutters, hand/power tools, CNC equipment)
Students may also conduct science lab experiments, participate in service-learning activities, and engage with real-world practitioners and sustainability experts.
When? July 13 – 26, 2025
Where? This course is offered at the UMass Amherst campus with commuter and residential options available.
SustainabilityLab Pre-College Program
The Building & Construction Technology: SustainabilityLab is a two-week course on the UMass Amherst campus dedicated to investigating Sustainability in the Built Environment. Throughout this program, we will explore the issues of sustainability and resilience from the perspective of the built environment.
This will consist of a series of experiential learning exercises where students will be exposed to examples of sustainability on campus and locations that are a short drive away. Students will examine the built environment and how humans interact with it.
The Building & Construction Technology: SustainabilityLab will consist of a series of hands-on activities that will explore:
- Energy efficiency in residential and commercial buildings
- Water conservation strategies
- Sustainable material uses in contemporary buildings
- How the UMass campus incorporates elements of sustainability
- Analyzing buildings for sustainability and identifying solutions that address any shortcomings
Collectively, there will be a focus on problem identification, teamwork, collaboration, problem solving.
This course is offered at the UMass Amherst campus as a residential program. Local students may apply to attend as a commuter.
When? July 27 – August 9, 2025
Where? This course is offered at the UMass Amherst campus with commuter and residential options available.