Studies have shown for decades that the integration of STEAM programs within K-12 education is important to the development of students. These programs are designed to set up children earlier with a strong understanding of STEAM skills, while cultivating students as a future interest for national economic prosperity.

Over the past several years Steve Korte, Group Leader for Kleingers’ Southwest Ohio Institutional Group, has volunteered in many ways for the University of Cincinnati CEEMS program. The Cincinnati Engineering Enhanced Mathematics and Science Program (CEEMS) is led by the University of Cincinnati in partnership with 14 Cincinnati-area school districts. One of the main goals of UC’s CEEMS program is “real world applications: connections to engineering,” and the classroom presentations provide great linkage for the students in understanding how the subjects they are learning apply to the “real world.”

During the program, teachers design a challenged-based learning activity to engage their students in decision making, strategic planning and evaluate plan revisions. At the end of each session, participating teachers are given the opportunity to present their final “units,” displays and videos for judging. Steve served as a volunteer judge during the Closing Day Showcase earlier this month, providing constructive feedback and guidance to the educators.

“As a graduate of the UC College of Engineering, I take tremendous pride in being able to connect back via CEEMS,” says Steve. “It is a great way for me to give back to my community all while educating the stewards for the next generation of engineers” he continues.

The Oak Hills School District, Steve’s alma mater, is a partner in the CEEMS program. “Many of my formal education worlds come together through the CEEMS program. I have been able to take back my professional experience and college education at UC to teach students about how math and science really come together. I even had the opportunity to present at Delhi Middle School, my old stomping grounds,” Steve shared.

Through many years of volunteering, Steve has grown many relationships with teachers and administrators in the Cincinnati area, which has led to several classroom presentations to middle school and high school math/science students. Steve has also sat on numerous panels in an open forum with math and science teachers to discuss what engineering companies are looking for in college graduates (technical skill sets, software programs and soft skills).

“As a group of engineers, surveyors and landscape architects who use math, arts and sciences every day, it is important to myself and others at Kleingers to educate teachers. Giving teachers the tools to explain real-life applications and how STEAM subjects impact their students’ future careers is huge,” says Steve.

To learn more about the University of Cincinnati’s CEEMS program, visit their website: http://ceas.uc.edu/special_programs/ceems/CEEMS_Home.html

Learn more about the “Closing Day Showcase” here: http://ceas.uc.edu/news-1314/ceems-closing-day-showcase-facilitates-promising-classroom-resul.html

When Joseph M. Allen, PE, PS of Development Planning, Inc. hired The Kleingers Group, he already had a conceptual grading plan in place and knew what he wanted to achieve for Greenshire Commons, a new subdivision on Cincinnati’s West Side.

But there were still some major details to work out. The plan for the 170-acre subdivision included moving more than 300,000 cubic yards of dirt and building a 15-foot wall more than 300 feet long at the entrance of the subdivision.

The Kleingers Group helped Allen turn his vision for the site into reality by ensuring jurisdictional standards were met, while still moving forward quickly.

The primary goal for The Kleingers Group was to ensure an earthwork balance on the site – meaning no dirt would have to be taken off-site or brought in – while still meeting Allen’s goals for the terrain.

The Kleingers Group used Autodesk Civil 3D to both design and model the proposed terrain surface

The Kleingers Group used Autodesk Civil 3D to both design and model the proposed terrain surface, providing not only the earthwork calculations but also provide a visual representation of the plan.

First, the roadway profiles were designed to meet both jurisdictional standards and the aesthetic requirements, hitting critical elevations as determined by the Allen. Then tools within Civil 3D allowed The Kleingers Group to model the roadways, sidewalks, walls, and green spaces along the roads. With this foundation in place, Kleingers was able to design the lot grades to accommodate different housing types while honoring drainage requirements and desirable driveway grades.

By using 3D modeling, The Kleingers Group was able to present images that made the suggested terrain easier to visualize and give very specific ideas about the final aesthetic. After each draft, The Kleingers Group worked with Allen to make changes to the grading plan to ensure his goals were met.

Once the systematic design was in place, Kleingers was able to adjust the entire design as requested in a small amount of time.

The final plan includes some dramatic changes to the terrain, including the 15-foot wall at the entrance.

By utilizing Kleingers to work out the details on this small but important piece, Allen was able to move forward quickly while still ensuring his goals for the site were met.