By Evan Thomas COMPANY NEWSLETTERS • • • • • 0 Comments

July 2020 Company Newsletter

KC's July Newsletter includes a feature on KC’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Additionally, we explore the benefits and drawbacks of fewer cars traveling on our roads, celebrate employee milestones, and detail our newly awarded projects.

Download KC’s Company Newsletter – July 2020 edition to keep up with KC’s latest news!

By Evan Thomas RETURN TO WORK ACTION PLAN 0 Comments

Return to Work Action Plan

In March 2020, as the situation with COVID-19 progressed, KC provided its employees with the option to work from home.

To help provide a safer working environment once KC employees return to our offices, supplies were procured, including face masks and gloves, disinfectants, and touchless sanitizer dispensers for our offices. In late June, KC Management issued a Return to Work Action Plan “to clearly communicate our plans moving forward, highlight workplace protocols in place to protect [employee] safety, and establish a level of comfort for all of our employees as we ask you to return to the office.”

New procedures and social distancing requirements that provide enhanced safety were outlined in advance of the gradual return of employees to KC offices beginning in July 2020. Safety remains the highest priority at KC, and while we have begun gradually bringing employees back to their respective offices as part of a partial reopen, circumstances could change again due to the still-evolving situation with COVID-19 and KC is prepared to return to remote work if needed to ensure the safety of our employees and clients.

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

Adirondack Welcome Center

As part of a Regional Design Services Agreement (RDSA), this project served to construct a new I-87 northbound welcome center in West Glens Falls. The new facility replaced an existing rest area in excess of 25 years old. The new Adirondack Welcome Center included construction of a new building with parking lot and boat inspection areas, lighting, a new septic system, waterline work, and utility upgrades.

As subconsultant, KC was responsible for assisting New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) with reviewing and reapplying for New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES), water connection system, and septic system permitting.

KC also provided detailed design for water supply, wastewater septic, and stormwater systems; design survey and mapping for confirmation of existing infrastructure; preliminary building and site construction cost estimating; and existing utilities identification and coordination. KC also developed site drainage, sanitary system, and grading design alternatives; identified existing drainage basins to determine the impact of proposed construction on erosion and sedimentation; developed the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP); and prepared cross sections to outline existing ground and proposed roadway surfaces.

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

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.