Design Engineer Construct!®
As the first school in Dubai to launch a Design Engineer Construct!® (DEC) programme, Fairgreen affords students the incredible opportunity to gain a depth of knowledge in one of the most vital global sectors, the Built Environment.
What is DEC?
DEC is an accredited UK-based learning programme for secondary-school age students and has been expertly developed to create and inspire the next generation of Built Environment professionals. Through a project-based approach, DEC applies pure academic subjects to the latest construction industry practices.
The result is young people gaining real-world practical experience in a field they may not otherwise get to know and explore. Few young people aspire to a career in this important sector of the global economy; the DEC programme inspires students to consider this as a pathway of their future.
Real-World Industry Networking:
As a fundamental part of the curriculum programme, students undertake workshops led by industry professionals. For example, Grade 8 and 9 students learned how pythagoras relate to building through a visit by a professional land surveyor from Topcon, a multinational company that manufactures and sells land surveyancing equipment. Students used professional land surveying equipment to see how a building outline is plotted out. They learned how precise and intricate this process is, and just how vital this step is in the design and engineering process.
The DEC Curriculum:
Grade 8
Students will complete DEC Level 1 with the aim to design an Eco-Classroom using real-world architecture software from Bentley, like this example of student Sarah’s work. Students will explore issues related to Sustainability in the building industry, understand the different roles in construction and the importance of teams, create a 3D model of their design to communicate their intentions and take into account legislation, controls and procurement.
Grade 9
Students will start their 2-year journey to complete DEC Level 2, which will guide them in the design of a building for the community. The students will have to understand their client's needs, the constraints of the project, formulate a project brief, draft a plan, develop a proposal, produce technical support collateral, respond to technical issues, deliver the project and test their design.