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ACE Mentor Program

Published August 17, 2006

  • What's the difference between an architect and an interior designer?
  • How does a structural engineer design a skyscraper?
  • How much does a construction manager earn?
  • Do I need to be good at math to be an architect?

If your child has ever asked these kinds of questions, then the ACE Mentor Program may be right up their alley!

What is the ACE Mentor Program?

ACE is an after-school program for Tennessee high-school juniors and seniors who are interested in learning more about careers in architecture, construction management or engineering.

ACE is made up of design and construction companies that team together and "adopt" a group of ten to fifteen students for the duration of a school year. The teams are organized like a real life construction project, so a team may include a corporate "owner", an architecture firm, a construction company and an engineering firm. Mentors are successful designers and contractors, who can give students a taste of what it is like to work in these fields and help them decide if they'd like to pursue a career in the design and construction industry.

What will students do?

Together with their mentors, students will develop a program for the year that is tailored to their interests. They'll normally meet every two weeks for two hours after school, at various locations in the Nashville and Williamson County area. Sessions might include hands-on activities, office tours, and field trips.

Students will then be challenged with designing a conceptual project. While they will not do any actual construction, students will make drawings, models or presentation boards. In April 2007, the team will give a presentation of its work, to which parents and teachers will be invited. The ACE teams will start in September 2006, so sign up soon. You may apply by contacting Jackie Baggett, Coordinator for Career and Technical Education, Williamson County Schools at 472-4071 or jackieb1@wcs.edu. For additional information regarding ACE log on to the web at www.acementor.org. The deadline for applications to the program is August 25.

What other benefits can students get from ACE?

If students successfully participate in the ACE Program, they may be eligible for an ACE Scholarship. In May 2007, the ACE Mentor Program will award over $30,000 in scholarships to Middle Tennessee students.

Who is eligible to join ACE?

Students are eligible to apply to join ACE if they:

§ Are a junior or senior

§ Have a GPA of at least 2.5

§ Have a parent’s permission

§ Are not having school disciplinary issues

§ Want to explore careers in architecture, construction management or building-related engineering (structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing - we will not cover other forms of engineering, such as computer or industrial)

§ Are committed to attend the meetings regularly