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LEGO Summer Camps for Little Big Engineers

Are LEGOs one of your child's favorite toys? If so, you may have a little big engineer in the making.

According to lego.com, “the name ‘LEGO’ is an abbreviation of the two Danish words ‘leg godt,’ meaning ‘play well’."

LEGOS are defined as a development toy comprising of interlocking plastic structure squares.

LEGOs are not just pieces of construction blocks that come in different colors and / or shapes or just a method of entertainment for children. LEGOs help children explore their creative sides. In addition, they can be tools that help children identify the career choices they want to achieve as an adult. For example, LEGOs can help children identify if they want to become architects or engineers.

For most children, the end of a school year and the beginning of summer vacation is very exciting because they can stay up late, go on vacations, have sleepovers, and enjoy a lot of other fun activities. However, summer can be a stressful season for most parents. While continuing their busy schedules, most parents spend months trying to find the best summer camp for their children. Now, many summer camps have listened to parents' requests and camp directors have created summer activities that fit the parents’ interests as well as the children’s needs.

There are LEGO summer camps and classes available for little big engineers. These camps were developed to help children learn and shape their futures at a very young age. The camps activities are for all different age groups and some of the activities consist of learning how engineers think and learning how to use simple engineering mechanisms while also having fun and enjoying the summer.

For more information about LEGO summer camps or summer activities where your children can participate, visit www.activityhero.com/activities/lego-camps-classes

By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • • • 0 Comments

International Women in Engineering Day

Tuesday, June 23rd, will mark the 4th International Women in Engineering Day (INWED). Initially, popularity and enthusiasm for the day expanded the celebration from its concentrated UK origins to become a worldwide event.

Originally launched in 2014 by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES), Women in Engineering Day sought to recognize and celebrate the presence and importance of women in engineering. INWED’s website calls the day “an accessible and inspiring way for companies, institutions, organizations, schools, universities, and individuals to raise the profile of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and related sectors, showcase a commitment to diversity, and inspire future generations by organizing their own events and activities.”

WES’ own mission to be active supporters of women, collaborators with government agencies and policy makers, and challengers of stagnant cultures merges into the yearly celebration of INWED.

This year’s theme, #ShapeTheWorld, will focus on encouraging all supporting groups to organize events in support of INWED. Some examples on how to get involved, according to the campaign website, include becoming a STEM ambassador; hosting a networking, mentoring, careers, or social event; joining WES as a corporate partner; and / or promoting this year’s theme with the #ShapeTheWorld hashtag.

For more information about International Women in Engineering Day and how you or your organization can participate, visit www.inwed.org.uk.

By Decire Gonzalez KC'S BLOG • • • • 0 Comments

Franny Reese Park

Franny Reese Park is proposed on two existing parcels in the Village of Wappingers Falls.

The project scope includes demolition of the existing buildings on the two parcels and design of an initial phase for construction as well as call out place holders for future improvements.

The scope of construction work includes sawcut pavement and pavement, curbing, and sidewalk removal; reconstruction of existing concrete curb and sidewalks; installation of mechanically stabilized retaining walls as well as fencing and site lighting; and additional site development work.

KC was responsible for providing pre-design services, including area and initial site mapping, topographic survey and base mapping, and development of an asbestos report; design development services, including advancement of the conceptual plan and preparation of preliminary working drawings; and bid phase services, including preparation of contractual bid documents and opinions of probable construction cost in preparation for bidding.

KC also provided State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) support for buildout of the conceptual plan and preparation of an Environmental Assessment Form (EAF).

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The Importance of Green Construction

The construction industry, responsible for about 4% of the world’s particulate emissions, is one of the major sources of pollution. Despite our best construction practices, air, water, and noise pollution continue to threaten our way of life.

Green building, a method of construction used to design sustainable, energy-efficient residential and commercial buildings, is now a growing trend and no longer a construction novelty. With pollution jeopardizing air quality, drinking water, and even putting our wildlife at risk, green building has come to the forefront of the construction industry as a largely marketable, thoughtful, and productive method of building.

A combination of sustainable processes and use of high-quality, low-impact materials contribute to the practice of green building. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promotes several components of green building, including renewable energy use, waste reduction, and use of environmentally preferable building materials.

The popular concept of “reduce, reuse, recycle” is an example of an environmentally-friendly practice used during green construction, especially when it comes to waste reduction. As far as environmentally preferable materials, where concrete and steel are often impractical and expensive materials, timber is a relatively inexpensive, naturally renewable alternative with long-term sustainability capabilities.

Ultimately, green construction processes present a pollution-profuse industry with the opportunity to build smarter and sustainably, better control costs, and maintain the condition of the earth.

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Washingtonville Culvert and Drainage Improvements Project

The project scope included replacement of the undersized culvert under State Route 94 in Washingtonville, which was located directly east of the Ahern Boulevard and State Route 94 intersection.

KC was responsible for providing architectural and engineering design, bid phase, and construction administration and support services. The scope of work included field and right-of-way (ROW) surveying and base mapping, preparation of highway and bridge design packages, and project management for preparation of contract documents. KC also provided engineering consulting services, working with the Town and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to obtain the required permits.

During the construction phase of the project, KC provided construction inspection services to ensure contract compliance, design intent, quality of workmanship, and material acceptance. KC also prepared as-built drawings.