CEAT leads national effort to bring high-tech construction careers to rural classrooms
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Media Contact: Desa James | Communications Coordinator | 405-744-2669 | desa.james@okstate.edu
In the near future, America's skylines, roadways and infrastructure could be shaped by a construction industry unlike any before.
Aerial drones scanning job sites in minutes. Artificial intelligence streamlining designs and building information models already bring projects to life before a single foundation is poured. But for many rural schools, education about this type of construction is limited.
Oklahoma State University’s College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology’s Dr. Rachel Mosier and her collaborative team plan to solve this issue.
Funded by the National Science Foundation and Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers program, the project is a two-day conference focused on preparing the next generation for high-demand careers in construction.
“The purpose of the conference workshop is to host industry, educators and instructional designers to discuss education goals and activities, which will support bringing high-paying jobs to rural areas, especially in construction,” Mosier said.
Participants will tour an active construction site, operate industry-grade drones, explore advanced software and test driving simulators. These experiences are designed to help educators return to their classrooms with not just ideas, but real-world examples and skills they can integrate into their lessons.
Mosier, associate professor of construction engineering technology, hopes to bring low- and no-cost solutions for construction education to rural areas.
Construction connects naturally to subjects students already study, such as geometry, floor plans and even project budgeting — and can be taught with free or affordable software readily available to schools.
Throughout the conference, participants will collaborate to identify the top challenges and solutions for bringing construction into science, technology, engineering and mathematics education. While construction has been integrated into K-12 programs in states like Georgia and Texas, the field is still often left out of local STEM discussions. The team plans to strengthen the conference outcomes by leveraging that existing knowledge.
The results will be shared with national educator networks, extension programs like 4-H and professional associations to ensure the impact extends well beyond the event.
From designing data centers to building bridges, the work combines hands-on skill with forward-thinking innovation, and the next generation of builders may very well get their start in classrooms shaped by this effort.
While we have traditional trades like carpenters, electricians and plumbers, there is a whole other side to construction. We need professionals with strong math and business skills, and an in-depth understanding of how to build buildings, roads, bridges, data centers and more! It's an exciting career!