Experiential Learning
Experiential Learning requirements are continuously being developed. Set up a meeting with Emily Platt to discuss your specific needs. The items below will help you to understand the goals of this important aspect of your BYU CFM experience
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
"Some of the most important inspiring learning opportunities occur outside the formal classroom setting through experiences . . . ." – BYU President Kevin J. Worthen
Sustainable and resilient home designed and constructed by BYU students for the Orange County Sustainability Decathlon competition 2022-2023
About ExL
Experiential Learning (ExL) refers to hands-on, immersive, and real-world experiences that enable students to apply conceptual knowledge and develop skills directly relevant to built environment professions, It helps connect classroom instruction with professional practice, it fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork. Students may choose pre-defined ExL opportunities and may also create their own!
Learning Outcomes for each ExL project include:
1. Integrate Knowledge and Practice: Apply theoretical concepts, technical skills, and emerging technologies to develop innovative and practical solutions to real-world challenges in construction and facilities management.
2. Demonstrate Leadership and Collaboration: Work effectively in diverse teams, exhibiting leadership, communication, and ethical decision-making to achieve project goals and foster professional relationships.
3. Encourage Lifelong Learning and Stewardship: Critically and reflectively evaluate experiences to enhance individual growth, promote sustainable practices, and contribute to the betterment of communities and the built environment.
Each CFM student will complete two credits of experiential learning during their undergraduate experience. Each credit should represent approximately 30-40 hours of effort. Students will enroll in the appropriate course number for the type of experience they select.
EXPECTATIONS
Each ExL “credit” requires significant work and effort. Most will include some amount of time in a classroom. But all will require student initiative. These ExL opportunities are for students to DO—observe, engage, gather data, analyze, solve, and report. Each experience will require some “product”—a report, presentation, or other, usually a component of the experience itself (e.g. a portion of a research paper for mentored research, a presentation and/or report for a competition team, etc.). Students will also describe and reflect on the experience with a short narrative with the template attached here.
OPPORTUNITIES
Student Competitions
ASC & NAHB
ASC and NAHB Competitions are opportunities for students to apply what they learn in the classroom, network, and develop professional communication skills. Competitions are centered around specific themes and industries, such as design-build, commercial construction, project management, heavy-civil construction, etc. CFM faculty annually coach multiple teams in the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) collegiate competitions. CFM faculty also coach two teams in the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) collegiate competition.
To participate on an ASC or NAHB team, students should apply by April 15th for the following competition year. Students may apply for 2025-2026 competitions here. Participants will be notified of their team placement by June 15th. Student competitors will enroll in a fall semester all-teams prep course section (ASC – CFM 317R; NAHB 318R) which generally meet once a week, with longer practice sessions outside of class as determined by the individual teams. Each team will work closely together to create competitive solutions to unique challenges, and develop written and oral presentations. Student teams travel to the competition locations during the winter semester for their events. More information about the ASC and NAHB competition teams can be found here.
UREC
The Utah Real Estate Challenge (UREC) is a collegiate competition hosted by the University of Utah’s Ivory-Boyer Real Estate Center, where students create real-world development proposals for an actual site. Students form interdisciplinary collaborative teams (e.g. construction management, finance, engineering, architecture, etc.), and conduct market research, design site plans, and perform financial analyses, with guidance from industry mentors. Teams present their ideas to industry experts, compete for cash prizes and gain valuable experience and connections in real estate development. Students interested in participating should enroll in CFM 319R during winter semester. More information about UREC is available here.
SIOY
The Student Innovator of the Year (SIOY) competition at BYU challenges students to create and showcase innovative solutions to real-world problems. Hosted annually by the College of Engineering’s Weidman Center, it offers hands-on experience, mentorship, cash prizes, and a public showcase. Students interested in participating should enroll in CFM 319R during fall semester. More information about SIOY is available here.
The Student Innovator of the Year (SIOY) competition at BYU is an annual event that empowers students to develop and showcase innovative solutions to real-world problems. Hosted by the College of Engineering’s Weidman Center and the BYU Rollins Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology, SIOY provides hands-on experience in ideation, prototyping, and pitching, with mentorship from industry experts and faculty. Students form teams and collaborate across disciplines to create impactful products, services, or technologies, competing for significant cash prizes and the chance to bring their ideas to life. The competition culminates in a public showcase, highlighting BYU's culture of creativity and entrepreneurship.
ASCE
The BYU CCE department has a strong student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and there a number of opportunities where CFM students can participate in exciting competitions, such as, designing and constructing a timber-frame structure, building and racing a concrete canoe, creating a sustainable community plan, designing and manufacturing a model steel bridge, etc. Students interested in participating on a BYU ASCE competition team should contact the student chapter officers. Approved students should then enroll in the appropriate fall or winter CFM 319R class. More information about ASCE competitions can be found here.
Civil Engineering Capstone Projects
The Civil Engineering (CE) Capstone Program is a two-semester program. This program allows teams of students to apply the knowledge they gained in classrooms to execute and successfully complete practical real-world projects in a professional setting, with results that directly benefit a project sponsor. Students interested in the CE Capstone Program should sign up for CE 471 in fall semester their Junior year (which satisfies their advanced writing requirement) and then CE 472 in the following winter semester. CFM students have a unique opportunity to bring CFM related training and experience and work with CE students to enrich teams, and their project approaches. More information about CE Capstone is available here.
Mentored Research
CFM faculty are constantly engaged in researching and seeking solutions to many of the most perplexing questions in the built environment. Participation will include working on existing projects related to building material testing, constructing innovative structure components, studying worker mental health and project team dynamics, evaluating codes, policies, practices, etc. In some cases, faculty may have opportunities to improve teaching, and research projects may include identifying new technologies, designing class learning activities, synthesizing best practices, etc. Mentored Research ExL opportunities are especially valuable for students interested in exploring potential future graduate studies or teaching in higher education. Students interested in mentored research should seek out a faculty sponsor and enroll in CFM 319R. These opportunities are available Fall, Winter, and Spring/Summer as indicated by the faculty member. Students can review faculty's profiles here, and make an appointment to visit about potential opportunities.
Service Learning
Students interested in engaging with service-centered organizations can have exceptionally meaningful educational experiences by applying their knowledge to help other organizations with projects doing social good in the built environment. Serving with local governments (such as Provo City’s Development Services Department), non-profit organizations (like Provo City Housing Authority and Habitat for Humanity), and other community interest groups can provide rewarding ExL opportunities. Students interested in service learning should enroll in CFM 319R in the Fall or Winter semester they wish to participate. Students will connect with these organizations (faculty members can help make introductions) and identify appropriate projects.
Study Abroad
BYU Study Abroad Programs offer students opportunities to explore the world and have ExL experiences in CFM and related disciplines. These programs are designed to provide immersive cultural, educational, and spiritual experiences, aligning with BYU’s mission to develop global leaders and disciples of Jesus Christ. Study abroad ExL opportunities enable students to gain a broader perspective and make meaningful contributions to the global community. Several CFM and CCE faculty-sponsored study abroad opportunities exist, and BYU offers dozens of other opportunities. While students cannot “double-count” ExL credits earned for program-specific required courses, in many instances they can earn additional credits that fulfill other GE or elective courses. Students interested in these opportunities are invited to visit with department faculty, watch for regular advertisements, and visit the Kennedy Center’s international study program list. Student’s in approved study abroad programs will enroll in the specific course number(s) associated with the program.
Propose a Project
Highly motivated students may also propose an ExL opportunity not listed above. Self-directed engagement in applying classroom knowledge to practical opportunities is an outstanding way to take ownership of one’s own learning, and provides flexibility for students to pursue their passions and interest. Students interested in proposing their own ExL project should fill out an application form linked here, which will be reviewed by the undergraduate committee. Students with approved projects should enroll in CFM 319R for the appropriate semester. In preparing their applications, students should consider how their experience will satisfy the learning outcomes listed above, and how they will meet the “effort” requirement in their projects.
