Unique Exhibit Tour Builds Interest in Construction Jobs for BPS Students

Walter S. Johnson Building Co. Inc. VP of construction Aaron Tandy explains the planning for Science Stadium to Buffalo Public Schools students.

What goes into building a museum exhibit?

It’s a process that most people—save museum staff and the construction crews working on the exhibit—don’t usually get to see. But on Tuesday, career and technical education (CTE) students from South Park High School and Riverside High School got a unique opportunity to see that process first-hand at the Buffalo Museum of Science.

“We were excited to provide this chance to get an up-close view of the construction of Science Stadium, our first new permanent exhibit to open at the museum since 2018,” said Gary Siddall, president and CEO of the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences. “Serving as a means to educate people of all ages outside of a traditional classroom setting is a core function of the Museum, and with the excitement surrounding this new exhibit, we knew this was a perfect means to show the students what kinds of things they could do with the knowledge they’re gaining in the classroom.”

How the Tour Was Designed

Aaron gives students a closer look at the blueprints for Science Stadium to BPS students.

The group of 15 Buffalo Public School System seniors explored the space that will soon be Science Stadium. It’s a $3 million permanent exhibit that will give visitors a one-of-a-kind science learning experience through the lens of sports. “It may be a blank canvas of drywall, concrete and studs right now, but when it is finished in the coming months, it will be something truly special for the Western New York community,” Gary said.

During their tour, the students got a look at the blueprints and renderings for the space, and learned from the contractors who are building it, Walter S. Johnson Building Co. Inc.

They learned about what went into planning the exhibit, how construction projects like Science Stadium are managed and how the different types of workers involved in the project need to work together to make it happen.

Aaron Tandy, vice president of construction at Walter S. Johnson Building Co. Inc., told students the unique set of circumstances that go into a project like Science Stadium make it all the more satisfying to work on and complete. Along with the project work itself, he shared personal anecdotes about his career path and its twists and turns in the hopes that the students could see that their own careers don’t need to be linear.

A Partnership Built on Education

“The Buffalo Museum of Science offers such an engaging experience for youth of all ages—and adults—this was an opportunity for them to experience what they learn about, theoretically, in classes,” said science education manager for the University at Buffalo Sandra Small, Ph.D. “I hope they gained an appreciation for the many available career paths, and understanding of how different professionals do not work independently.”

Sandra was instrumental in facilitating the trip through a partnership between the University at Buffalo’s Center for Excellence in Materials Informatics and the Museum. The Center fully paid for the trip, museum admission and arranged the tour as a part of an effort to increase STEM and trades learning for students across the region.

Ultimately, the hope is that tours like this could inspire the next generation of workers to join the industry at a time when new hands are sorely needed.

“There is a shortage of workers in WNY in these fields, which are good, family-sustaining wage jobs.”

Aaron explains the challenges construction workers face when working on projects like Science Stadium.

The Growing Need for Construction Workers

“There are students who are graduating and contemplating their next move: career, college or other training,” Sandra said. “So, let’s do what we can to bring those two groups together: the companies that need workers and the students who are on the cusp of becoming workers!”

Currently, there is a growing shortage of construction workers of all types nationwide. The Associated Builders and Contractors predicts the United States will need an additional 456,000 workers to meet new construction demands in 2027.

There is no shortage of new and major projects going on around Western New York as well. Everything from the finishing touches on the Buffalo Bills’ new stadium to all the ongoing infrastructure repairs need workers to complete.

“When people think of STEM, they tend to think of scientists in a lab, medical doctors, or engineers working in manufacturing and it is important to help students realize the interconnectedness and interdisciplinary nature of so many careers, in and relating to STEM,” Sandra said. “This meeting was eye-opening, especially for the students, but also for the adults in the room, to learn how many types of engineers are necessary to a successful project, not to mention the various tradespeople and technicians involved.”

Engineering Excitement for Science in Sports

The BPS tour group poses for a photo with Gary Siddall, Sandra Small and Aaron Tandy.

Science Stadium is being created through a partnership with the Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bandits. It boasts 17 unique, hands-on activities for sports fans of all ages to engage in sports science learning and STEM careers in sports, both on and off the field.

“Behind every athlete and sporting event are scientific professions, and this exhibit is designed to inspire the next generation of STEM professionals in sports that’s uniquely Buffalo,” said Gary. “There’s an area to explore sports medicine and injury recovery, an equipment room to learn about the technology behind protective gear athletes use, an anchor desk to record yourself breaking down player statistics, a space to design your own mascot, and we hope that this exhibit inspires the next generation of sports scientists.”

Science Stadium is due to open later this year and the excitement is palpable. But don’t just take the Museum’s word for it; as Sandra put it:

“Let’s go Buffalo!”

Find out how your family can experience sports science in a whole new way through Science Stadium.