INSTRUCTOR FAQ
students/teams
How many students can we have on our roster?
The roster may have more than 15 students, but only 15 or less may be participating each day. Only 10 students may be building at a time on competition day.
Can we bring more than 15 students to spectate in preparation for participating next year?
Yes. However, we only provide lunches and event T-shirts for up to 15 students per team. It is up to the instructor to ensure adequate adult supervision.
CAN WE HELP OUR STUDENTS BUILD?
If instructors are seen building, then the team becomes ineligible for awards. You may coach your students on the sidelines, but please keep the tools out of your hands. If you would like to use tools to help your students and agree that your structure will not be judged, please let us know ahead of time. The goal is for students to learn hands-on skills while staying safe.
IS MORE THAN ONE ENTRY PER SCHOOL ALLOWED?
Yes. Once all schools have submitted their first round of commitments and are fully sponsored, we can review for a second team. Please notify CIEF if you desire to enter more than one team.
IS THERE A WAY TO SEE HOW OUR SCHOOL RANKED AGAINST THE OTHER SCHOOLS?
CIEF can provide this information upon request.
WE CURRENTLY DO NOT HAVE A CONSTRUCTION MANAGER (CM), WE ARE WORKING ON THAT. IS IT REQUIRED TO HAVE ONE?
No.
WHEN DO YOU DECIDE WHICH STUDENTS FOR YOUR ROSTER?
Please review the Instructor Guide’s Timeline for important due dates for forms and deliverables. This year, 2024, Team Rosters are due no later than March 1st.
HOW DO STUDENTS APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AND ARE THERE ANY REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICANTS?
Please refer to our website for scholarship information including how to apply. Visit www.cie.foundation/scholarships.
safety
DO WE NEED TO BRING PPE FOR STUDENTS?
Yes, please let us know as soon as possible if you need PPE for your students so we can work with your team sponsor and/or other industry partners to provide you with PPE for your students.
WILL OUR TEAM RECEIVE EXTRA POINTS IF THE WHOLE TEAM IS OSHA-CERTIFIED?
Yes. Teams who have completed safety training can get an extra 5 bonus points and have historically scored much higher in this category, thus elevating their overall scores.
HOW IS OSHA-10 ADMINISTERED?
OSHA-10 Training will be administered virtually and will be at each student’s discretion. Vouchers will expire within 90 days of redeeming; please be sure all students complete their courses as a courtesy to our sponsors/donors.
IS THERE A MAXIMUM NUMBER OF STUDENTS THAT CAN RECEIVE ACCESS TO OSHA-10 FOR FREE?
CIEF has budgeted for up to 15 students per team. Please reach out to your regional coordinator if you wish to obtain more.
DOES OSHA-30 COUNT FOR EXTRA CREDIT?
Yes.
DOES NCCER COUNT FOR EXTRA CREDIT INSTEAD OF OSHA?
No.
WHAT HAPPENS IF IT RAINS OR WE HAVE A MAJOR WEATHER-RELATED ISSUE?
Depending on your region, there will be a contingency plan in place to keep all schools, volunteers, and staff safe. Please contact your CIEF Lead to discuss this.
IF MY SCHOOL WANTS TO PURCHASE OUR OWN SCAFFOLDING, DO YOU HAVE A RECOMMENDATION OF WHAT KIND TO BUY?
Industry recommends scaffolding system like this for your students: Buffalo Tool Pro-Series, Two Story Rolling Scaffold Tower, Capacity 1000 lb, Frame Material Steel, Max. Platform Height 12 ft, Model# TOWERINT | Northern Tool
tools & materials
ARE GUNS ALLOWED?
No—pneumatic tools are prohibited. Please refer to the suggested packing list in the instructor guide.
WHAT IF WE DO NOT USE ALL THE MATERIALS PROVIDED TO US BY CIEF?
You may take all materials you do not use back to your campus.
WILL GENERATORS BE PROVIDED AT THE COMPETITION FOR EACH SCHOOL?
Teams do not need to bring their own generators. Typically, each row has one generator which powers several team spaces through spider boxes and electrical cords. CIEF provides power at the competition through sponsoring companies.
IF SCHOOLS PROVIDE THEIR OWN WEATHERPROOFING, DOES THAT MOVE THEM FROM THE SHED TO THE OPEN COMPETITION?
No.
CAN DOORS BE MODIFIED/CUT DOWN AND STILL BE CONSIDERED IN THE SHED COMPETITION?
Yes.
WHAT SIZE IF OUR DESIGNATED BUILDING AREA?
Approximately 27’ wide by 37’ long (three to four parking spaces wide by two spaces deep).
WHAT MATERIALS IS PROVIDED FOR THE SKIDS/DUNNAGE TO ELEVATE THE SHED FOR THE CRANE?
The material that is provided is the pressure-treated material 4x6x12’.
IS THE DUNNAGE ATTACHED OR UNATTACHED TO THE SHED?
Unattached.
WHAT IS THE RENTAL RATE FROM THE SCAFFOLDING COMPANY IF SCHOOLS NEED ADDITIONAL SCAFFOLDING. ARE THEY CONTACTING THEM DIRECTLY FOR WORKING THROUGH CIEF ON THE ORDER?
Please contact them directly to obtain pricing for any additional scaffolding.
DESIGN PLANS, SCHEDULE & fOOD
DO WE HAVE TO DESIGN OUR OWN PLANS?
It is encouraged but not required. The goal is to introduce students to all aspects of the building process. However, we understand that this may not be possible. We encourage each team to build with a purpose and identify an organization or end user in your community. The client’s needs are then taken into consideration when designing the plans. We offer architectural mentorship for those requesting tutorials or advice. We also have a couple of example sets that teams may borrow and submit. Teams submitting example sets, or those not designed themselves, will be ineligible for the Architectural and Best-In-Show Awards.
WHAT ARE SOME PROGRAMS YOU RECOMMEND TEACHERS USE FOR CREATING OUR PLANS?
Some examples of programs that previous schools have used are Autodesk Revit, SketchUp, and Adobe. If you need support accessing software for the use of creating and editing plans, please reach out to your Team Sponsor to see what resources they may have available.
WHEN SHOULD STUDENTS ARRIVE ON THE DAY OF THE COMPETITION?
It is advised that you and your students arrive between 6:45 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Coffee and donuts will be available at 7:00 a.m. and the safety talk begins at 7:45 a.m., with the students beginning to build at 8:00 a.m. If you would like, you can set up the day before the competition between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. There will be overnight security.
WHAT IF OUR TEAM DOESN’T FINISH BUILDING OUR STRUCTURE BY THE END OF DAY TWO OF THE COMPETITION?
That is perfectly fine! The purpose of this program is to provide real-world experience for high school students. Several teams typically do not fully complete their structures at the competition. Since the materials are all yours, you can finish building it back at your school.
WHAT IS THE END TIME FOR DAY ONE?
Please refer to the Instructor Guide’s Competition Schedule. Teams typically finish on their first day of the competition around 4 p.m.
WILL LUNCHES BE PROVIDED ON BOTH DAYS OF THE COMPETITION?
Yes, CIEF provides lunches to students and instructors on both days of the competition. We advise you to bring water and snacks.
WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE FOR EACH DAY?
DAY ONE
7:00 am - 7:30 am
Schools begin to arrive and unload for the day
7:45 am - 8:00 am
Mandatory Safety Talk
8:00 am - 11:00 am
Students begin building their structures
11:00 am - 11:30 am
Students begin being dismissed for lunch
11:30 am - 4:00 pm
Student build time
4:00 pm
Hard stop for student builds
DAY TWO
7:00 am - 7:30 am
Schools begin to arrive and unload for the day
7:45 am - 8:00 am
Mandatory Safety Talk
8:00 am - 11:00 am
Students begin building their structures
11:00 am - 11:30 am
Students begin being dismissed for lunch
11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Hard stop for student builds, competition is concluded for judging
2:30 pm
Student structure removal process begins
3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Final competition awards are announced
7:00 am - 7:30 am
Schools begin to arrive and unload for the day
7:45 am - 8:00 am
Mandatory Safety Talk
8:00 am - 11:00 am
Students begin building their structures
11:00 am - 11:30 am
Students begin being dismissed for lunch
11:30 am - 4:00 pm
Student build time
4:00 pm
Hard stop for student builds
DAY TWO
7:00 am - 7:30 am
Schools begin to arrive and unload for the day
7:45 am - 8:00 am
Mandatory Safety Talk
8:00 am - 11:00 am
Students begin building their structures
11:00 am - 11:30 am
Students begin being dismissed for lunch
11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Hard stop for student builds, competition is concluded for judging
2:30 pm
Student structure removal process begins
3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Final competition awards are announced
TRANSPORT, CATEGORY AWARDS & JUDGING
DOES CIEF ASSIST WITH TRANSPORTING THE STRUCTURE AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE COMPETITION?
The instructor is responsible for organizing the transportation details for your team’s structure at the conclusion of the competition. We encourage you to start making your transportation arrangements as soon as you submit your commitment form. You may ask your team sponsor, other local construction companies, the district’s transportation office, or a shed or spa-moving company. You will need to sign the structure removal contact form and turn it in by the February deadline. Remember that the height of the structure when being transported may not exceed highway transportation codes. Most trailers are no taller than 4’, and 10’ or shorter structures usually meet this requirement. The typical weight of the structure is around 4,000 lbs. Trailers should be ready on the second day of the competition, beginning at 2:30 p.m. A crane or forklift will only be available for loading at the competition site.
HOW MUCH DO SCHOOLS RECEIVE FOR TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING, AND FOOD COST?
Teams traveling two or more hours to the competition site are eligible for a $1,000 travel reimbursement. Receipts must be submitted to CIEF Region staff by email within 2 weeks of the event and fall within the parameters to receive a reimbursement up to this amount.
FOR SCHOOLS THAT AREN’T DRIVING DOWN AFTER THE SECOND DAY, IS THERE A PLACE WHERE TRAILERS CAN BE STORED OVERNIGHT?
This will be on a case-by-case basis. There will not be overnight security on Thursday night (only Tuesday 5 p.m.- Thursday 6 a.m.).
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REMOVING AND TRANSPORTING THE COMPLETED STRUCTURE?
The instructor and team are responsible for removing and transporting the completed structure. Start planning this removal as soon as possible once committed to competing in the Design Build
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SHED CATEGORY AND OPEN CATEGORY?
The Open Category includes teams bringing additional materials that are not included in the CIEF provided materials list found in the Instructors Guide.
DOES IS MATTER WHICH CATEGORY YOU ENTER FOR YOUR FIRST YEAR?
No, each school/team can choose either category (Open or Shed) for their first year.
CAN SCHOOLS ONLY WIN ONE TEAM’S AWARD?
Yes, teams can only win 1 team award. Students on that team are still eligible for individual awards.
DO WE GET TO REVIEW FEEDBACK FROM THE JUDGES OR INDUSTRY POST-EVENT?
Yes, it will be a couple of weeks after the event before you receive your feedback.
SHOULD WE LOOK AT AN INSTRUCTOR’S AWARD (BEST STRUCTURE/TEAM AS SELECTED BY INSTRUCTORS)?
CIEF will consider this in 2025.
SPONSOR & INDUSTRY FAQ
CAN SPONSORS ATTEND BOTH COMPETITION DAYS AND VIEW THE STUDENTS IN ACTION?
Absolutely. We highly encourage sponsors to come out and support the high school students.
WILL THERE BE TIME TO SPEAK WITH THE STUDENTS AND INSTRUCTORS ON THE DAYS OF THE COMPETITION?
Yes. You can always pull the student and instructor aside to talk to them or ask them questions. If you would like to talk to someone specifically and they’re working on something, let the instructor or CM know, and they can get their attention for you.
WHAT ARE THE EXPECTATIONS OF A TEAM SPONSOR?
Build relationships with the students and teachers through interactions. A minimum of 2 interactions with the students leading up to the Design Build Competition is recommended.
• Field trips to construction sites or offices
• Classroom visits
• Career presentations
• Other
• Field trips to construction sites or offices
• Classroom visits
• Career presentations
• Other
HOW MUCH IS A TEAM SPONSOR? WHAT DOES THE FEE GO TOWARD?
A financial contribution to CIEF (see sponsorship levels per region) that will assist CIEF with obtaining the materials needed for the team to participate in the Design Build Competition. Team sponsorships may be completed by visiting www.designbuildcompetition.com
CAN INDUSTRY SHOW UP ON BOTH COMPETITION DAYS?
Yes. We highly encourage all industry professionals to stop by, even if it’s for a few minutes, to encourage and check out the students’ work.
How can I contribute if my trade is not involved in the building portion?
You can donate PPE materials to schools, post the Design Build Competition to your LinkedIn, volunteer, sponsor, and/or be a competition judge.