We are excited for the
2023 – 2024 Program year!

Mentors:

All volunteers must register prior to each program year. Mentor/Volunteer registration includes a 5-minute training as the last step. Your registration won’t be accepted unless this training is completed. If you commit to mentoring for all program year sessions, you will be asked to complete a background check prior to the first team session.

Follow this guide to help walk you through the registration process.

Students:

All students must register prior to each program year. You also need to complete an electronic consent form with your parent/guardian to be eligible to join ACE.

Use this guide to help you get through the registration process.

About Us

High school students in the Birmingham area can now benefit from a nationwide program designed to introduce them to the wide range of career opportunities open to young people in architecture, construction, engineering, and related areas of the building design and construction industry.

At bi-weekly meetings, student teams work directly with professionals from leading area firms, who volunteer their time to mentor the teams as they design hypothetical projects, tour local construction sites, and visit architectural, engineering and construction offices.

For students, it’s a unique chance to discover and develop new skills, solidify future goals and get on track to exciting, rewarding careers. In addition, many students form positive relationships with industry professionals who can provide important references for obtaining college admissions, scholarships, internships and full-time employment.

Our Team Projects

Students in the ACE program typically work closely with their mentors on projects that provide hands-on experience in solving the types of design, engineering and construction challenges industry professionals confront every day.

The teams often learn how to use advanced computerized tools, such as AutoCAD, while special exercises and activities illustrate the industry’s demand for young people skilled in math, physics, economics, art and other disciplines. Many ACE affiliates culminate their program year with special events at which teams present their concepts to mentors, families, teachers and community leaders.