At Grant Career Center, learning goes beyond the classroomโand The Big Build is proof of that in action.
This hands-on educational experience welcomes 4th grade students from across our partner districts to campus for a day they wonโt forget. Led by Construction Technology Lab Instructor Kenny Carter and Math Instructor Brian Carter, this father-son duo has created a powerful bridge between classroom concepts and real-world application.
The day begins with students sharpening their math skills in a classroom setting. Concepts like area, perimeter, measurement, and fractions come to life as students prepare for whatโs next. After lunch, they head into the construction labโwhere the real magic happens.
Armed with measuring tools and guided by high school mentors, students roll up their sleeves and get to work building small-scale homes. These demo structures, reused year after year, give hundreds of students the opportunity to safely experience construction using real tools in a controlled environment.
But The Big Build is about more than just building structuresโitโs about building confidence. Students gain a deeper understanding of how math applies to everyday careers, while also exploring pathways they may not have considered before.
High school students in the Construction Technology program play a key role as mentors throughout the day, reinforcing their own skills while helping younger students succeed. Itโs a win-win that showcases the leadership and professionalism of Grant Career Center students.
With schools like Ebon Hill Intermediate, Felicity Elementary, Locust Corner, and Williamsburg Elementary participating, the impact of The Big Build continues to grow each year.
At its core, The Big Build reflects what Grant Career Center is all aboutโhands-on learning, real-world skills, and inspiring the next generation to Choose to be Great.


