2025 Annual V.E.S.T Hackathon: Renovating Safety Harnesses,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
2025 Annual V.E.S.T Hackathon: Renovating Safety Harnesses, Mason P. Chamberlin
Construction Management
This paper presents the organizational framework and logistical planning involved in executing the 2025 Verifying Everyone’s Safety Together (V.E.S.T.) Hackathon, an annual innovation workshop hosted by the Construction Management Department at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. The event brings together students, faculty, and industry professionals to reimagine and redesign common construction equipment with a focus on safety, usability, comfort, and inclusivity across diverse user profiles. The 2025 hackathon, held April 15–16, concentrated on safety harnesses, an essential component of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the construction industry. Participants engaged in the two-day event that included conceptualization, prototyping, and …
Skip The Grid: Solar Installation For Navajo Communities,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Skip The Grid: Solar Installation For Navajo Communities, Emilio Tiziano Cervantes
Construction Management
In March 2025, a group of 20 students from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo took part in Skip the Grid, a hands-on service initiative aimed at expanding access to reliable solar energy in the Navajo Nation. In partnership with SOLV Energy, NextTracker, and the non-profit Heart of America, the team traveled to Chinle, Arizona, where they installed off-grid solar systems in 40 homes across the Chinle School District. Each setup included solar panels, a battery with electrical outlets, lighting, and a refrigerator—providing essential power to families whose homes were previously without it. All of the households served kids …
Skip The Grid: Bringing Solar To The Navajo Nation,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Skip The Grid: Bringing Solar To The Navajo Nation, Samuel B. Mcclintock Ii
Construction Management
Skip the Grid is a student-driven, interdisciplinary initiative dedicated to improving access to electricity for families of the Navajo Nation. The project focuses on educational equity by addressing barriers to home study, such as insufficient lighting and energy. These issues stem from the Navajo Nation's remote nature and the families' access to resources. In March of 2025, a group of 24 students and faculty from California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), representing six different educational departments, traveled to Arizona to partner with the Chinle Unified School District in addressing educational equity in the Navajo Nation. The effort allowed students to …
A Survey Of Industry Professionals On The Role Of Ff&E In Sustainability,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
A Survey Of Industry Professionals On The Role Of Ff&E In Sustainability, Caius T. Toy-Grace
Construction Management
This study is designed to explore how professionals in the construction and design industries perceive the role of furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) in building sustainability. Although FF&E is often viewed as a minor component of the overall construction process, it has the potential to significantly impact environmental outcomes through material sourcing, durability, and end-of-life recyclability. A survey was distributed to eight professionals in FF&E, construction, and sustainability-related fields. The survey included eight questions, with four multiple choice and four open-ended, designed to gather both quantitative and qualitative insights. Responses were analyzed to determine how often sustainability is considered in …
Upstander Behaviors To Combat Implicit Bias,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Upstander Behaviors To Combat Implicit Bias, Jakob J. Wilkins
Construction Management
This project investigates how individuals across different experience levels in the construction industry respond to workplace bias, exclusion, and unfair treatment. Rather than focusing on the often-ambiguous term “ally,” this study explores the role of an “upstander,” someone who takes thoughtful, proactive action to support fairness and inclusion. Using a combination of survey data, industry interviews, academic literature, and a participatory workshop at the 2025 Women in Construction Symposium, the study identifies effective upstander behaviors and evaluates their impact. Survey findings revealed that a majority believe implicit bias influences jobsite dynamics and that intervention can shift workplace culture. The workshop …
Students' Evaluations Of Construction Management Curriculum Through A Senior Exit Interview,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Students' Evaluations Of Construction Management Curriculum Through A Senior Exit Interview, Anthony J. Roensch
Construction Management
This project explored student perspectives on the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Construction Management program through a two-phase approach: individual interviews and a large group review session. Ten students with varied career goals and levels of involvement in the program were interviewed to understand their views on curriculum quality, industry engagement, extracurricular opportunities, and departmental support. The goal was to identify patterns in feedback across diverse student experiences. Following the interviews, a refined set of questions was developed and presented to a larger group of students in a structured discussion forum. This session provided further insights into both strengths and …
Son Care Foundation - Pergola Preconstruction,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Son Care Foundation - Pergola Preconstruction, Samuel J. Peters
Construction Management
This paper discusses the design and preconstruction aspects of a pergola constructed at Thousand Hills Pet Resort, supporting a non-profit organization called the Son Care Foundation. Founded in 1994 by Jack Gould, the foundation is committed to fostering hope through various programs including mentorship for students, service dog training for PTSD victims, basic pet training, vehicle repair and turnaround, and dog daycare and lodging. This project serves Son Care Foundation’s dog daycare and lodging program, called Thousand Hills Pet Resort. The program was established in 2005, and all profits are used to fund the other programs operated by the Son …
Building Confidence, Building Careers: An Industry-Informed Evaluation Of A High School Aec Camp,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Building Confidence, Building Careers: An Industry-Informed Evaluation Of A High School Aec Camp, Madisen Berube
Construction Management
This study assesses the effectiveness of the Girls Build Summer Academy, an architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) summer camp for high school girls, and similar programs by gathering and analyzing feedback from industry professionals. The research aims to identify which program elements most successfully inspire interest and build foundational skills for young women considering careers in architecture, engineering, and construction. An anonymous survey was distributed to AEC professionals, some who were familiar with the program. The survey included multiple choice, rankings, and open-ended questions to evaluate areas for improvement and future curriculum development. Findings revealed strong support for interactive learning …
Skip The Grid: Off-Grid Solutions For Navajo Families,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Skip The Grid: Off-Grid Solutions For Navajo Families, Jordan Badgley
Construction Management
Skip the Grid is a service project executed by California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) students, Heart of America, and SOLV Energy to provide sustainable power solutions to Navajo families in need. Within the vast, remote landscapes of the Navajo Nation, over 32% of households lack electricity, creating significant challenges for daily life. The 2025 Skip the Grid trip marked Cal Poly’s fourth consecutive year partnering in this impactful initiative. An interdisciplinary team of 20 students from 6 different areas of study, work collaboratively, preparing for months to ensure a successful installation trip in Chinle, Arizona. Over the course of …
California Polytechnic Design-Build Lab Course,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
California Polytechnic Design-Build Lab Course, Nicho Domine
Construction Management
This paper explores the development and execution of a project-based Design-Build (DB) course implemented at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. The course aimed to replicate real-world DB processes in a controlled academic setting, engaging Construction Management and Architecture students in simulated but immersive industry experience. From Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to Final Presentation and Closeout, the course mirrors a typical DB project lifecycle. Through collaborative exercises, students gained exposure to roles and responsibilities, submittals, cost estimating, procurement strategies, risk analysis, virtual coordination, stakeholder communication, and more. This paper describes how a sequence of weekly assignments was structured to …
2025 Annual Hackathon Redesigning Safety Fall Protection,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
2025 Annual Hackathon Redesigning Safety Fall Protection, Cole Lewis
Construction Management
The Verifying Everyone’s Safety Together (VEST) Hackathon is an annual event organized by construction management and social science students at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Its purpose is to redesign a specific piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) to improve usability, comfort, and inclusivity, with a focus on providing equitable safety for all workers. This hackathon centered on fall protection, specifically safety harnesses, which are essential for protecting workers at height but often lack comfort and user-friendliness. Students, faculty, and industry guests gathered to examine current harness designs and develop practical, worker-informed improvements. The event space was outfitted …
Hawthorne Elementary Stage Set Construction,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Hawthorne Elementary Stage Set Construction, Sergio Daniel Manriquez, Alejandro Gonzalez
Construction Management
The Pirate Ship and Playhouse project, undertaken by California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Cal Poly Construction Management students, aimed to support arts education at Hawthorne Elementary School through the construction of theatrical set pieces for a Peter Pan performance. Initiated by Phil Barlow and guided by Anna Brennen from the school’s staff, the project integrated community service with practical learning in construction management. From initial design and material sourcing to final installation, the team emphasized safety, durability, and aesthetic appeal. Funding and logistical support from local businesses and Cal Poly facilitated the project’s success. This hands-on endeavor not …
R.A.C.E. Matters Precast Concrete Bench Construction,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
R.A.C.E. Matters Precast Concrete Bench Construction, Camryn E. Berger
Construction Management
This paper presents a narrative detailing the design and construction process undertaken by an interdisciplinary team of students from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, representing the Construction Management, Architecture, and Architectural Engineering departments. The team collaborated to design, fabricate, and install three precast concrete benches for the nonprofit organization R.A.C.E. Matters. The project began in Fall 2024 and culminated in the installation of the benches at sites managed by the San Luis Obispo Conservancy: Pismo Preserve, the Octagon Barn, and Kathleen’s Overlook. Each bench will serve as a platform for murals, visually depicting diverse racial experiences. This paper …
Creating An Off-Site Construction Course,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Creating An Off-Site Construction Course, Tyler Steven Meehleis
Construction Management
The construction industry is undergoing a transformation as prefabrication and modular methods become more common across project types. From residential homes to large-scale commercial buildings, offsite construction offers faster timelines, improved quality control, and reduced environmental impact of construction. Despite these advantages, off -site construction has historically been underrepresented in the Construction Management (CM) curriculum at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly). While students are well-prepared for traditional project delivery in residential, commercial, and heavy civil sectors, they often graduate with limited exposure to more modern building systems and off-site production techniques. This off-site construction course addresses this gap by …
Shipping Container Library Project: Preconstruction Strategy And Planning,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Shipping Container Library Project: Preconstruction Strategy And Planning, Chris Lochner
Construction Management
This report outlines the preconstruction planning phase for the development of a shipping container library to be deployed to a community in Sub-Saharan Africa. The library is designed as a modular and sustainable solution for delivering access to educational resources. Preconstruction efforts have focused on finalizing design documentation, procurement planning, trade coordination, permitting considerations, and site logistics. While no construction has begun, two 40-foot high-cube containers have been ordered—one for prototyping and one for shipment. One container is currently staged at Tilden-Coil Constructors’ yard in Riverside, California, and the project is approaching the procurement and mobilization phase. All tracking of …
Cal Poly Leaning Pine Arboretum Gazebo,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Cal Poly Leaning Pine Arboretum Gazebo, Tyler Higgins
Construction Management
Located on the north end of California Polytechnic State University’s campus, the Leaning Pine Arboretum gazebo stands as a place of gathering, relaxation, and functionality. Taking the place of a smaller existing structure, this project transforms the area, creating new opportunities and laying a foundation for future growth over the coming years. Along the way, several challenges arose, including design complications, permitting issues, and time constraints. Through this process, it became clear that obstacles were inevitable, and overcoming them taught valuable lessons in teamwork, coordination between multiple parties, relationship building, and project management. From September to December 2024, work continued …
A Review Of Work-Life Balance Among Recent Cal Poly Graduates,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
A Review Of Work-Life Balance Among Recent Cal Poly Graduates, Max Murphy
Construction Management
Work-life balance has been a heavily debated topic in the construction industry, especially post-COVID. Due the popularization of the topic as well as the introduction of “hybrid” work schedules among multiple industries the idea of work-life balance within the construction industry has become prevalent. This paper aims to gather data about work-life balance and stress among the construction management industry. A survey was distributed to recently graduated construction management students from California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo to gather quantitative data regarding work-life balance, commuting, work hours, stress, and mental health. This survey also features a voluntary section …
Designing And Building A Tomato Storage Shed For Slo City Farm,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Designing And Building A Tomato Storage Shed For Slo City Farm, Mark D. Thielmann, Ryan T. Walther
Construction Management
This paper details the design, budgeting, and construction of a tomato shed built by a student team for City Farm SLO during the Spring 2025 quarter. The project aimed to deliver a practical, affordable, and long-lasting structure to support tomato harvesting and storage operations. The team prioritized a design that balanced functionality with simplicity, all while working within a tight budget. The design phase involved multiple iterations in response to changing site conditions and client input, requiring the team to remain flexible and responsive throughout the process. Key milestones included developing an initial layout, sourcing materials, and modifying features as …
Skip The Grid: Delivering Solar Energy To The Navajo Nation,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Skip The Grid: Delivering Solar Energy To The Navajo Nation, Lucca Giuseppe Pracilio
Construction Management
Skip the Grid (STG) is a program where companies within the construction industry come together to better the quality of life for the people of the Navajo Nation. Through collaboration with Goal Zero, SOLV Energy, NEXTracker, and Heart of America, the fourth Skip the Grid Trip installed 40 solar systems on homes within the Chinle region in northeastern Arizona. Officially finishing on March 27th, 2025, the trip not only consisted of providing a service for the people of Chinle but also allowed California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) students to learn about the history of the Navajo Nation …
Skip The Grid: Installing Solar Systems For Residents Of The Navajo Nation In Arizona,
2025
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Skip The Grid: Installing Solar Systems For Residents Of The Navajo Nation In Arizona, Joshua Zepeda Montero
Construction Management
An interdisciplinary service-learning program called Skip the Grid provides solar energy systems to Navajo Nation homes without consistent access to electricity. A group of 20 California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) students from different majors that include Construction Management, Mechanical Engineers, Business, and Electrical Engineers traveled to Arizona from March 23rd to 27th, 2025, to install Goal Zero solar energy systems on over 40 homes from the Navajo Nation. This project was made possible through the generous support and collaboration of SOLV Energy, Heart of America (HOA), Goal Zero, Chinle High School, and Cal Poly. These solar systems help give …
