Overview
The Watson Innovation Lab explores how experiential learning, real-world projects, industry collaboration, and community engagement can transform construction and engineering education. Supported by the Cook Professorship and connected to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Engineering’s Complete Engineer® framework, the initiative focuses on creating meaningful educational experiences that help students engage, develop a sense of belonging, and grow as future professionals.
Projects
competing to make a difference
Race to Build
For ten years, Race to Build has been far more than a construction competition. It has been a movement that brings together collegiate construction management programs from across the country to serve Appalachian families while inspiring the next generation of servant leaders.
Hands-on-Learning
Concrete Bowling
As part of a lesson in a Construction and Materials Testing course led by Emmeline Watson, the students spent the last few weeks of the semester designing, crafting and testing concrete bowling balls. The project aimed to give students hands-on experience with fiber-reinforced concrete, while also sparking creativity in engineering design and testing.
Signature Experience
Sheds for Hope
Giving students hands-on construction experience building full-scale structures that benefit the community, integrating industry collaboration and applied learning to support local nonprofits while developing technical and professional skills.
Fall Project
Kiewit Pavers Project
In the weeks leading up to construction, students will learn about design and construction regulations, building codes, building loads and their effects on structures, structural properties of building materials, thermal properties of construction materials, and clay masonry, concrete masonry, glass masonry, stone, and mortar products.
About the Course
CNST 242 connects classroom learning to real-world construction practice through teamwork, planning, and problem-solving. This course focuses on vertical structures, from grade to topping out, with an emphasis on materials and material handling equipment. Includes the assembly process for a variety of applications including cast-in-place concrete, steel erection, wood framing, precast concrete, masonry structural elements, and material finishing.
