FM school visit
April 7, 2025
E&U team members guide students through problem solving
Facilities Management's Energy & aUtilities team members recently visited Journey Middle School in a two-part program focused on problem solving.
The visit was part of the FM Community Connections Program, a workforce development pipeline program for middle- and high-schoolers to work towards careers in the skilled trades. The program is funded by a grant from the Jefferson Trust, which supports innovative ideas that enrich the University of Virginia.
Utilities Manager Corey Jones, Utilities Supervisor Marcus Klaton and Welder Kyle Bourne first visited Journey Middle School on March 13 and presented students with an FM-related problem to solve. The specific scenario they were given was a real-life situation faced by FM teams, including Jones and Klaton, when a pipe burst and flooded part of Rugby Road in front of Carr's Hill in January 2023.
The students were divided into three groups with each FM team member acting as an expert for the students to consult. The students were able to ask “expert questions” to learn about potential solutions and tasks to the problem while also learning about what each team member does in their role at FM.
The students had about two weeks to work on their solutions before presenting them at the second visit on March 25. Through a skit, presentation, and poster, the students described to the FM teams how to tackle the problem
Each group explained step-by-step what they would do to fix the leak. Students recalled the need for safety, mentioning to close the roads and ensure that pedestrians were safe, the importance of teamwork and the proper steps for digging and repairing pipes, such as calling 811 to identify what pipes may be in the area.
Following the presentations, Jones, Klaton and Bourne described what FM did during the actual leak and explained the repairs involved. The 2023 leak had required Utilities teams, with support from across FM, to remain on site until almost the next morning.
The team utilized the situation to explain to students that working together, remaining calm and understanding the infrastructure of the environment are crucial to problem solving, especially in emergency situations.
“If you're calm,” Klaton explained to the students. “You can think more clearly and make efficient decisions.”
The visit – which was part of the school's Career Investigations program – concluded with the students asking any additional questions they may have had about both the leak and FM overall.
The FM Community Connections Program will continue to partner with local schools and organizations, according to FM Engagement Programs Manager Emily Douglas.
“Our overall goal is to create an innovative workforce development pipeline program beginning with education and concluding in successful matches and placements in available career opportunities within the University and surrounding area businesses and organizations,” said Douglas.
The program received a $102,000 grant from the Jefferson Trust, which was founded by the University of Virginia Alumni Association in 2006. Since then, the Trust has invested over $16 million in student, faculty, and staff ideas, supporting the people and projects that strengthen the University of Virginia. For more information, visit the Jefferson Trust website.
Afia Paracha
Communications assistant student worker
UVA Facilities Management
hcx2td@virginia.edu