This hands-on event introduces youth to skilled trades and construction careers, giving them the chance to try activities like bricklaying, electrical wiring and heavy equipment operation.

Lansing Welcomes 3rd Annual Construction Science Expo, Inspiring the Next Generation of Skilled Trades Professionals

LANSING, Mich. — Sept. 30, 2025 — The Lansing region welcomed hundreds of eager middle school students today for the third annual Lansing Construction Science Expo, coordinated by many area partners, including T3 (Teach. Talent. Thrive.), Capital Area Michigan Works!, and the American Council of Engineering Companies-Michigan chapter. Now in its 14th year overall, this is the third time the event has taken place in the Lansing area. The hands-on expo was held at Impression 5 Science Center and adjacent lots owned by the Lansing Board of Water & Light.

The expo gave students a unique opportunity to get their hands dirty with real construction tasks — from electrical wiring and bricklaying to heavy equipment simulators — under the guidance of industry professionals. The experience is designed to expose young learners to in-demand careers in the built environment and break down misconceptions about what careers in construction can be.

As a highlight, event organizers and partners invited regional firms and infrastructure stakeholders — including the city of Lansing, LBWL and local engineering firms — to host activity stations and mentor students. The expo aligns with the ACEC-Michigan’s commitment to supporting workforce development. The ACEC-Michigan calendar lists the event as a key link between the engineering profession and the broader community.

“Getting students to pour a footing or wire a test circuit with their own hands helps remove fear of trades and opens their eyes to real opportunities,” said a representative from ACEC-Michigan.

For sponsors, schools and industry participants, the expo is more than outreach — it’s a long-term investment in developing a workforce pipeline. Employers gain early exposure to future talent, while school partners receive access to resource lists, follow-up educational pathways and industry contacts. Many participating firms provide apprenticeships, internships and scholarships tied directly to their interactions at the event.

Capital Area Michigan Works! and T3 assisted in coordinating local school and business engagement and will continue to support the event footprint in 2026, with outreach into rural school districts and additional construction discipline modules, such as plumbing, HVAC and civil surveying.

For more information, visit ACEC-Michigan’s event listing or contact Capital Area Michigan Works! and T3 for details on participating schools and firms.

Hear Amirika and Jeffrey recently discuss how T3 connects students with STEM careers through MiCareerQuest, expos, and hands-on exploration in the SoundCloud podcast shared below:

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