July 3 2003

MAKING EDUCATION MORE CONSTRUCTIVE
- New CD-rom launched free to schools

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is givingstudents aged 5-14 interactive experience of their built environment in a bidto interest them in future construction careers.

The ConstructionAwards Scheme launched as a CD-rom this week to schools in England and Wales.Free to Key Stage 1 3 teachers, the CD-rom has the thumbs up from theGovernments leading digital teaching resource service having just been givenCurriculum Online approval.

The CD complementsthe National Curriculum by using the built environment as a context forchallenging students in maths, science, literacy and design and technology.Students complete activities in playground and computer-based sessions and theCD has an accompanying website allowing teachers to set students work at home.

"Working withthe built environment is about using your head as well as your hands to createthings and solve problems. We want the CD to highlight the creative andtechnical challenges of the built environment and show young people how muchthere is to learn about the world around them," says Julian Humphreys,CITB Business Manager.

"The paper-basedprogramme of the same name has been a huge success in schools around thecountry with students working towards gold, silver and bronze levels. Allstudents who participate receive a certificate and we expect to give out around10,000 certificates this year," he says.

The ConstructionAwards Scheme CD-rom is available direct from CITB, the Curriculum Onlinewebsite at www.curriculumonline.gov.ukor www.citb.co.uk/ccas. Teachers canfind out more by calling 01485 577 577 and asking for their local EducationTeam.