By Steven Satkowski
USACE - Far East District Public Affairs
OSAN, South Korea -- Students from Osan American Elementary school got a lesson in the fundamentals of engineering during a presentation and tour of their future school Jan. 20 at Osan Air Base. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Central resident office project engineer James Lee provided three-dimensional modeling and time lapse camera videos depicting the progress and future end state of the building before giving a guided tour of the facility.
“I think it’s amazing,” said Kimberly Grant, Osan American Elementary School teacher. “I’m hoping it might spark some of their interest in where they could go with this profession. Even though they are young hopefully it’s something they’ll remember for a long time.”
The tour generated excitement and anticipation especially among the students who will transition into the facility.
“I think it will help us learn because it will be better organized and bigger than our school is now,” said Adelynn Jensen, third grade student at Osan American Elementary School. “It was also fun to see all the cement and walls that aren’t finished yet.”
The idea for a tour came about during the bi-monthly progress meetings between the central resident office and Department of Defense Dependent Education Activity.
“We worked together, along with the contractor, to make this happen and to make sure this education facility has the specifications for 21st Century learning spaces as well,” said Lee.
Other partners providing support include the 51st Communication Squadron and the 51st Civil Engineer Squadron.
“I think it’s wonderful,” said Lt. Col Jack Wheeldon, 51st Civil Engineering Squadron Commander. “Buildings don’t just appear. It takes time and effort and a lot of skilled hands to make something like this come together. This shows them that there is a process to putting everything together and how science, technology, engineering and mathematics play a part in all of this.”
The Far East District central resident office hope to continue these tours as the building progresses so both teachers and students can stay apprised of the development. The facility is set to open in 2016.