NSF Conference Workshop
STEM Education and the Construction Industry in Rural States
This conference will bring together K–12 educators, construction faculty and industry professionals to explore the challenges facing rural schools and the higher education attainment gap, particularly in high-demand, high-wage careers in construction, infrastructure and STEM fields. Through collaborative discussion and shared strategies, the conference aims to identify ways to expand access to career opportunities in rural communities by supporting and empowering educators. Travel stipends and lodging assistance may be available for K–12 educators.
**Please plan on wearing long pants and closed toed shoes for our construction site visit.**
Tentative Agenda This conference workshop is open to K-12 Educators, Instructional Designers, Higher Education Educators, and Industry Members. Join us for 3 days of fun and education!
Tuesday 6/16
Travel Day
Ice-breaker, introduction to conference, discussion questions and participant baseline assessment
Innovations in industry (ROBOT DOG)
Dinner: sponsored by OSU-CET
Wednesday 6/17
Panel & Roundtable Discussion:
How do we better foster STEM
Workforce of the future in construction?
3-D PRINTERS -- Software, AI, VR/AR
Georgia Educator Speakers discuss how construction is introduced in the classroom
(live, virtual or mixed)
Panel & Roundtable Discussion:
How do we provide access to rural communities through “ITest Rural Research”?
Field trip to construction site - Manhattan
Dinner: sponsored by Manhattan
Thursday 6/18
Panel & Roundtable Discussion:
How can educators/education
specialists/Researchers/Industry work together and provide support?
AUTODESK - Software, AI, VR/AR,
drones as Innovations with Industry
Panel & Roundtable Discussion: How do we help rural communities with
education to increase financial stability and avoid loss to “brain drain”?
Perform Modified Delphi to determine priority take-aways
Recap: Did we answer the questions? Post Conference assessment (Survey)
Keynote Speakers
Michael Smiley
Michael Smiley is a Construction Trades Teacher at Ferris High School in Ferris, Texas, with 26 years of experience in education at both the classroom and administrative levels. His career has spanned a wide range of school environments, from smaller, rural, low-income districts to larger, more affluent schools—shaping his perspective that, regardless of background, students share many of the same challenges and opportunities.
Mr. Smiley has been actively involved in the planning and implementation of district, regional, and state-level contests and leadership events for high school students. His students have participated in organizations and competitions such as SkillsUSA, Technology Student Association (TSA), Construction Industry Education Foundation Design Build, County Show, and other independent contests.
Cristi Holbrook
Cristi Holbrook is a STEM educator with over 25 years of experience teaching engineering, architecture, drawing, and design. She has spent the past 15 years at Kennesaw Mountain High School in the Cobb County School District, where she serves as CTAE Department Head.
Cristi is a longtime SkillsUSA advisor and former regional co-chair (2018–2024). She was named Cobb County CTAE Teacher of the Year in 2023 and received the 2021 ACTE Carl Perkins Outstanding Service Award for Georgia.
Her project-based classes use industry-standard tools such as AutoCAD, Inventor, Revit, and SolidWorks. She also leads an ASCE-affiliated engineering club focused on campus improvement projects.
Thank you to our sponsors!
