CarolinaPower Introduces Teens to Electrical Contracting at Clemson CSM Summer Camp

While Construction Science and Management (CSM) students at Clemson University were on summer break, the Nieri Department of Construction, Development and Planning hosted a camp attended by 15 high school students of various ages from across the country. The camp was organized by Alastair Boulding, Professor of Practice in Clemson’s Department of Construction, Development and Planning. 

Construction industry partners – representing both general contractors and specialty contractors – helped develop a well-rounded, hands-on curriculum for the weeklong camp. The diverse group of campers had the opportunity to walk multiple construction site projects over their five-day construction camp experience, as well as utilize the CSM program’s Experiential Learning Yard (informally known as the XL Yard). The XL Yard is essentially an “outdoor laboratory” for construction with enough space for students to construct full-scale structures where the campers were able to complete practical hands-on construction tasks.

CarolinaPower, a leading regional electrical contractor with four offices in South Carolina, kicked off the week with an information-packed, half-day session intended to give the students a glimpse into the world of electrical contracting through various “learning stations.” CarolinaPower’s session was held at the XL Yard. After introductory remarks and an overview of CarolinaPower, the students were introduced to device installation; conduit bending; electrical blueprint reading; transformers, generators, and different type of light fixtures; Virtual Design and Construction (VDC); ARC flash; and Safety principles.

CarolinaPower team members who participated included David Steffens, project manager; Chip Wilson, project manager; Josh McDonald, project manager; Shannon Graham, L&D Program manager; Tony Morris, safety specialist; Edson Moo, VDC manager; Kyle Rigler, construction technologist; Bryana Barber, project manager; Gage Schatz, assistant project manager; Cameron Lipe, assistant project manager; and Ashley Michie, marketing manager.

CarolinaPower’s session closed out with an inquisitive Q & A session that generated positive feedback from both the students and Clemson staff. During the lunchtime discussion, students enjoyed freshly grilled hamburgers and hot dogs provided by the CarolinaPower team.

More about the Clemson CSM XL Yard

The three-acre site is located at the Clemson University Ravenel Research Center in nearby Seneca, S.C.  During the school year, all 250+ Clemson CSM students take classes at the site, including a safety course and a construction science workshop.

In addition to Michael Nieri’s $100,000 donation of the John B. Nieri Construction Learning Center at the XL yard, several construction industry partners helped launch the XL Yard through cash and in-kind contributions. Corporate donors for the XL Yard include CarolinaPower at the $30,000 level; Fluor Corp and Katerra at the $25,000 level; and CF Evans, Choate Construction, Holder Construction, Hood Construction and Patuxent Materials at the $10,000 level.

Gifts in-kind for the XL Yard were provided by Capitol Construction (grading), Carolina Power (power and hook-up), Jet Commercial Plumbing (water lines), Freeland Engineering (survey and inspection), Lake Murray Environmental (erosion control), Bunnell Lammons Engineering (testing), Metrocon (concrete materials), Baker Concrete (concrete labor), Zorn Construction (bollards and striping), and Reeves Young, Choate Construction and Brasfield & Gorrie (shipping containers).