Jun 26 2007
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has been honored with the Award of Excellence in the 2007 Associations Advance America (AAA) Awards program for its "Building Homes of Our Own" education game. The national competition was sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) & The Center for Association Leadership, Washington, D.C.
"Building Homes of Our Own" is a CD-ROM-based interactive learning experience that allows middle and high school students to experience each step of the home building process, from selecting a location and obtaining permits, through construction and material selection, to reviewing credit histories of potential buyers. The program's interactive gaming technology applies real-world context to core lessons in math, science, civics, language arts, technology and financial responsibility. NAHB has distributed more than 47,000 free CD ROMs to classroom educators on request since 2002, reaching an estimated 4 million students, teachers and parents.
"In a survey, 99 percent of educators using the program rated it above-average or excellent," said Andrew Chaban, NAHB public affairs committee chairman and a builder from Lowell, Mass. "It not only gives students a first-hand look at the complicated process of building a home, it also introduces them to career opportunities and teaches valuable lessons of financial and civic responsibility."
The software teaching tool, which was developed by aHa Communications (formerly Media Options) of Chicago, incorporates national content standards. It has been honored with several prestigious awards, including an International EMMA (Electronic Multimedia Award) for Learning 3-18; First Place, Training and Education and Best in Show, Association of Multimedia Communicators; Parent's Choice Silver Award; Finalist, Computers for Youth Family Software of the Year Award; Public Relations Society of America Bronze Anvil; and PR News' Nonprofit Award for Interactive & PR Marketing. The new version 2.0 saves games on networks or local drives, and a free five-year site license is provided per school for unlimited use.
The program is now a candidate to receive a Summit Award, ASAE & The Center's top recognition for association programs. Now in its 17th year, the prestigious AAA Awards program recognize associations that propel America forward -- with innovative projects in education, skills training, standards-setting, business and social innovation, knowledge creation, citizenship, and community service.
"'Building Homes of Our Own' truly embodies the spirit of the Associations Advance America campaign. It is an honor and an inspiration to showcase the program as an example of the many contributions associations are making to advance American society," said Charles A. McGrath, CAE, managing partner, client services at Bostrom Corporation and the 2006-1007 AAA Committee Chair.
The CD-ROM, which includes a comprehensive lesson plan guide, is compatible with Microsoft Windows® 98 and XP operating systems. "Building Homes of Our Own" is part of an ongoing educational outreach initiative, in partnership with the National Housing Endowment, Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters and Freddie Mac. It is provided for free to classroom educators and members of home building associations affiliated with NAHB through the Web site www.HomesofOurOwn.org.