Fifth Grade Robotics Club Visits New Middle-High School Site to Learn About Technology in Construction Amidst Historic Project Milestones

(Saugus, MA) March 19, 2019 — Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree and Saugus High School Project Building Committee Chairwoman Jeannie Meredith are pleased to announce that Fifth Grade Teacher Bill Palmerini and his Robotics Club that is held at the Veterans Memorial Elementary School recently visited the new Saugus Middle-High School site and Suffolk Construction headquarters to experience firsthand how the material they are learning in robotics relates to the design and construction industry and the new Middle-High School.

Approximately 20 fifth grade students visited the site of the new Saugus Middle-High School on February 26, 2019 to learn about technology and 3D modeling in construction, and how automation/robotics and artificial intelligence can benefit design and construction by creating greater productivity and efficiency. Students had the opportunity to learn about technology used in day-to-day operations and how the advancements of technology can alter the design and construction industry completely. Students were also able to walk the site as a group and admire the building’s frame, which is comprised of thousands of steel columns and beams.

Since work began on the project last summer, 4,674 pieces of steel weighing roughly 3.13 million pounds have been erected, approximately 14,600 cubic yards of concrete have been placed, roughly 22,000 square feet of roofing has been installed, and more than 80,000 labor-hours have been worked.

On March 5, 2019 Mr. Palmerini and his Robotics Club visited the Boston-based headquarters of Suffolk Construction, the Town’s Construction Manager-at-Risk for the Middle-High School project. Students explored the construction company’s innovative “Smart Lab,” where they were able to watch real-time job site feeds, experience virtual reality, practice using data walls, and get a hands-on feel for what it’s like to utilize today’s cutting technology in the construction management industry.

“The Robotics Club’s visit to our new Middle-High School site and field trip to Suffolk Construction were fantastic opportunities for our students to see how what they are learning in Robotics Club can dramatically benefit and advance today’s modern construction,” said Town Manager Crabtree. “This is a tremendous, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that has been afforded to these students, and I hope this experience may inspire at least one of these students to develop a passion that could turn into a life-long career path.”

The Town of Saugus has partnered the MSBA and a highly qualified team of project managers, architects, and construction managers-at-risk to construct a grades 6-12, new Middle-High School. Throughout the past several years, the Town has completed the following MSBA-required phases: Eligibility Period, Forming the Project Team, Feasibility Study, Schematic Design Phase, Funding the Project, and Detailed Design. Saugus is currently in the Construction Phase (Module 7 of 8) of the project with the MSBA.

The Construction Phase has been filled with many historic milestones so far, including conducting extensive site work, laying the concrete foundation, and erecting the first steel beam. More recently, another exciting historic milestone has been met with the arrival of the first few gym trusses this week. The first truss is scheduled to be erected on March 26, 2019.

“It is incredibly exciting to share these historic milestones with our students, and to see them experience firsthand how the design and construction process translates into constructing a building,” said Town Manager Crabtree. “I would like to thank Mr. Palermini for inspiring these children. I would also like to thank Building Committee/School Committee Chair Jeannie Meredith, Superintendent Dr. David DeRuosi and his staff, Suffolk Construction, PMA Consultants, and HMFH Architects.”

“I would also like to thank Suffolk Construction and PMA Consultants for coordinating, the Superintendent, Mrs. Ragucci, and Mr. Palmerini for allowing the students to participate, and the Town Manager for orchestrating this event,” said School Committee Chairwoman and Building Committee Chairwoman Jeannie Meredith. “It was wonderful to watch the children interact with modern technology and learn about the endless career opportunities for their futures.”

For more information, contact the Town Manager’s office at 781-231-4111.

About The Town of Saugus

The Town of Saugus, Massachusetts, is a family-friendly, historic neighborhood Town located along the north shore, ten miles north of Boston. First settled in 1629, Saugus is home to historic sites, top-tier public services, and a thriving business community. Strong community support, a forward-thinking approach to town government, rich recreational opportunities, affordable choices, and easy access to all the amenities that Boston has to offer – they all contribute to make Saugus a Town where businesses flourish and families make their home.

About Suffolk Construction

Suffolk Construction is a national construction management firm with over 35 years of experience delivering first-class facilities for some of the finest academic institutions across the nation. Suffolk has completed school building projects at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Suffolk University, and Everett High School. Suffolk Construction is currently managing phased construction projects at Somerville High School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Boston College, and others.

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