To commemorate a decade in the community, students of Building Futures Cochrane will host a special exhibition of learning on June 12.
The exhibition will take place at 85 Rivercrest Common from 5 to 7 p.m., where students will showcase projects inside a house they built with Kingsmith Builders.
RVS Superintendent, Greg Luterbach, said RVS values the decade-long partnership between Kingsmith and the hundreds of Cochrane students who had the chance to connect with future career paths, while learning in a non-traditional classroom setting.
“We are incredibly proud of the success of Building Futures’ students and excited to celebrate this milestone with Kingsmith Builders, their contractors, RVS students and staff and the community.,” Luterbach said. “This innovative program is one of many ways we provide students with educational experiences that matter to them and help to prepare them for the future.”
Building Futures is a full-year academic program for Grade 10 students in partnership with Kingsmith Builders in Cochrane, and McKee Homes in Airdrie.
In addition to learning core subjects like math, science, social studies, and English, Students work together to construct a house. The program allows for a unique hands-on learning experience that is guided by tradespeople associated with residential home building.
RVS Community Learning Centre Principal, Greg Rankin, said this is a great opportunity for students to explore the realm of construction and trades, whether they are interested or passionate about het industry.
“While completing their core curriculum, students also feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of the year when they look at the home they helped build from the ground up with their peers,” Rnakin said.
Kingsmith Builder owner and president, Craig Wiens, said the Building Futures program has become a large part of Kingsmith’s identity.
“Not a day goes by when we are not working with, planning for or talking about experiences with the trades and students,” Wiens said. “We are honored to serve Cochrane’s students with this program, which gives them the ability to try their hand at so many different disciplines in the construction and design market.
“Over the past ten years of partnering with RVS, we have been enriched as people and a company through the time spent with the students. We will continue to run this program as long as it continues to have a positive impact on the students, their lives and their future plans.”
On June 13 from 6 to 8 p.m., Building Futures Airdrie will also hold an exhibition of learning at the house constructed by students with McKee homes at 3238/3242 Chinook Winds Dr. The Airdrie program celebrated its ten-year anniversary in 2023.
