What is the Future Builders Program?
The Future Builders Program is a national K–12 outreach initiative created by the NCSEA Foundation to introduce students to structural engineering through hands-on classroom activities, real-world problem solving, and interaction with practicing engineering professionals.
The curriculum was developed in partnership with Mission Fuel, a professional instructional design firm, and is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) to support classroom learning objectives while building awareness of structural engineering as a career. The program is designed to spark early interest in who designs structures, how they work, and why professional licensure is essential to protecting public safety, while creating pathways into the profession for a more diverse future workforce.
To measure impact and continuously improve the program, students complete pre- and post-activity surveys that assess changes in their understanding of structural engineering concepts, awareness of the profession, and interest in engineering careers. These evaluations help the NCSEA Foundation track program effectiveness and guide future curriculum enhancements.
What the Program Teaches
The Future Builders curriculum is intentionally aligned with foundational knowledge areas reflected in the structural engineering licensure pathway. Across grade levels, students explore core concepts such as:
- Forces and loads
- Materials and properties
- Understanding structures
- Design and problem solving
- Engineering and public safety
Each grade-level toolkit introduces a different structural engineering concept through a hands-on activity designed to build understanding progressively over time. Together, the toolkits create a sequenced learning experience that continues along the same knowledge framework engineers encounter on the licensure pathway, helping students see how individual lessons connect to the broader profession.
By introducing these ideas early and progressively, Future Builders creates a meaningful bridge between classroom learning and the competencies professional engineers develop throughout their careers. Students learn by designing, testing, improving, and explaining structures—just like engineers do.
Created in partnership with Mission Fuel
Thank you to our sponsors!
A We SEE Above & Beyond initiative
Who It Serves
The program reaches:
- elementary students discovering structures for the first time
- middle school students exploring engineering problem-solving
- high school students connecting math and physics to careers
It is delivered through partnerships with state Structural Engineers Associations (SEAs) with the help of local structural engineer volunteers.
How It Works in Schools
Future Builders is designed to be delivered through local Structural Engineers Associations (SEAs). NCSEA Foundation develops the curriculum, toolkits, and teaching resources—making them available at no cost—while SEAs and local firms serve as the champions bringing the program into classrooms and connecting directly with students.
Each participating classroom receives a Future Builders toolkit that includes:
- a structured, NGSS-aligned lesson plan
- simple hands-on building materials for the activity
- guided engineering design challenges
- discussion prompts connecting the activity to real structural engineering careers
Through these activities, students engage in authentic engineering experiences such as:
- building towers to compare stability between wide and narrow bases
- testing bridge strength using different materials
- tracing load paths through structures to understand how forces travel
- redesigning models to improve performance against wind or earthquake forces
Why It Matters
Future Builders helps:
- increase early awareness of structural engineering careers
- strengthen STEM engagement through hands-on design thinking and problem solving
- expand access to practicing engineer role models in classrooms
- support greater diversity in the future engineering workforce
- teach students the importance of professional licensure in protecting public safety within their communities
- build a national pipeline from classroom curiosity to career exploration in structural engineering
Roadmap
Phase 1 (2026) – Building the Foundation
We developed the curriculum with an expert education partner and piloted the concept with select Structural Engineers Associations (SEAs). We are securing Founding Partners to help fund and shape the program’s launch.
Phase 2 (2026) – Pilot Rollout
We’ll collaborate with SEAs and member volunteers to bring Future Builders directly into classrooms, collecting ideas, stories, and feedback from teachers and students. Our first pilot SEAs are SEAOI, SEAONC, and SEAoNY.
Phase 3 (2027-2028) – National Launch
Once refined, the program will expand nationwide, empowering SEAs across the U.S. to inspire students, educate communities, and promote the essential work of structural engineers.
Sponsorship Impact
Because the program is designed to scale nationally:
- about $8 sponsors one student
- about $200 sponsors a classroom
- about $2,600 sponsors a K-12 set
This makes it possible for donors, firms, and SEAs to directly support student access to engineering experiences.
Sponsorship Opportunities
| Tier | Investment | Benefits |
| Master Builder | $50,000 | Branded building block, top-tier logo placement, and recognition in national videos, plus all benefits listed below. |
| Frame Constructor | $20,000 | Prominent visibility across all curriculum materials. Logo on toolkits and Foundation site, press and newsletter recognition, plus all benefits listed below. |
| Beam Connector | $10,000 | Logo placement on course materials and annual impact report, plus all benefits listed below. |
| Structure Supporter | $5,000 | Recognition on the Future Builders website and in newsletters. |
For more information and to become a sponsor, please contact Jillian Kilker, NCSEA Foundation Chief Development Officer.
We SEE Above and Beyond
Future Builders extends the mission of the We SEE Above & Beyond campaign, promoting the visibility and value of structural engineers.
Through this program, the NCSEA Foundation and SEAs are connecting classroom learning to real-world engineering, showing students and their families how structural engineers create safe, resilient communities.