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Week of October 20, 2003

Front Page

Housing and Economics

* Momentum Solid for Home Building in September
* Small Decline in Mortgage Rates Stokes Builder Confidence

Housing Politics

* Debate Over Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac Opens in the Senate
* Senate Bill Would Spur Apartment Construction in High-Cost Areas

Business Management

* Effective Hiring Procedures Pay Big Dividends
* Escalation Clauses Can Help Control Damage from Rising Plywood Prices

Research

* EnergyValue Housing Awards Selection Underway

Construction Safety

* Know What to Do When an OSHA Inspector Calls

Multifamily

* Entering Design and Marketing Awards Competitions Is Worth the Effort

Small Builders and Remodelers

* Structural Insulated Panels Bring Savings and Efficiency to the Job Site

Sales and Marketing

* Brochures Provide Tips for Home Buyers and Remodeling Customers

Building Systems

* Good Design Is a Termite’s Worst Enemy

Labor

* Centex Vice President to Receive Distinguished Service Award

Building Products

* Distribution Panels Provide Wide Range of Residential Applications

International Housing

* Grant to Boost Business Opportunities in Mexico for NAHB Members

Building News Coast To Coast

Association News & Events

* NAHB Program Demonstrates Simulation Technology in the Classroom
* IBS Early Registration Extended Through Oct. 22
* Boost Your Marketing Through These Awards Programs
* Calendar of Events

NBN Back Issues

 

NAHB Program Demonstrates Simulation Technology in the Classroom

In a presentation of its free education program, Building Homes of Our Own, NAHB last week demonstrated the value of using simulation technology in the classroom to math and science teachers attending the Hispanic Engineering, Science and Technology Conference in Texas.

An estimated 1,100 teachers and 15,000 students participated in the week-long conference at the University of Texas, Pan American in Edinburg. Established in conjunction with Rep. Rubén Hinojosa (D-TX), the conference featured Secretary of Education Rod Paige.

“We are proud of the enormous success of Building Homes of Our Own among middle and high school teachers and their students and are committed to helping educate today’s youth in new and innovative ways,” said NAHB President Kent Conine.

The conference brings special emphasis to increasing the number of Hispanics in engineering, science and mathematics at the undergraduate and graduate levels.


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NAHB and Chicago-based program developers, Media Options, Inc., demonstrated Building Homes of Our Own and discussed the program’s alignment with national learning standards, which is one of the reasons for its enormous success.

More than 23,000 teachers are using the software, reaching nearly 1.8 million students nationwide.

The program is being used to augment lessons in math, science, social studies, English, consumer economics and technology, and it includes a comprehensive teacher’s guide.

Building Homes of Our Own features three levels of play at each of four building sites in urban, suburban, rivers and lakes and coastline settings.

Players encounter real-life obstacles and issues that test their skill, patience and resourcefulness. Students can elect to perform lab testing, conduct research or call upon special consultants and engineers to help them arrive at sound decisions that satisfy environmental concerns or nervous neighbors.

Attending a virtual town meeting or working within community planning and zoning laws are examples of the many challenges that help students sharpen their higher order thinking skills and prepare for life outside of school.

To receive the program, which is available on CD-ROM and is compatible with the Microsoft Windows operating system, click here. It is free to classroom educators and members of NAHB.

For more information about the Hispanic conference, click here.
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