Watertown Teacher Selected for Statewide Construction STEM Externship

Watertown High School’s Jason Welch, an engineering and robotics teacher, is spending part of his summer break gaining fresh insights into real-world STEM careers that he can take back to his classroom. Welch is one of 15 Massachusetts educators chosen to participate in the Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts’ (AGC MA) fifth annual Building Advancement Externship (BAE), taking place Monday, August 4 through Friday, August 8.

The program is designed to connect teachers with industry leaders so they can better inform and inspire students about the diverse pathways that STEM skills can unlock within the construction industry.

Connecting Classrooms and Careers

“Participants in AGC MA’s annual Building Advancement Externship become well-informed and passionate advocates for the construction industry, eager and able to share its many diverse and fulfilling opportunities with students,” said John Ferrante, CEO at AGC MA. “The participation and enthusiasm of our membership has been essential to the program’s success, and reflects its value in developing and strengthening the regional construction workforce.”

Welch and the other selected educators — who represent schools from Greater Lawrence to the Cape and Boston to Western Mass — will visit active job sites, hear directly from industry professionals, and learn how modern construction leverages robotics, advanced engineering, and technology to solve complex challenges.

Other 2025 externs include:

• Andrew DeLuca, Greater Lawrence Tech
• Eric Furlong, Wahconah Regional High School
• Josh Greeley, Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School
• Grace Haggstrom, Randolph High School
• Jacob Humiston, South Hadley High School
• Timothy Lavin, Charlestown High School
• Joseph Migliore, Greater Lowell Technical High School
• Maureen O’Donnell, Boston Community Leadership Academy
• Julie O’Leary, Framingham High School
• Keith Powers, Bristol Plymouth Regional Technical High School
• Tracey Schryba, Franklin County Technical School
• Mario Sousa, Salem High School
• Melissa St. Pierre, BMC Durfee High School
• Heather Toomey, Lynn Vocational Technical Institute

Industry and Education Join Forces

The externship is supported by an impressive roster of construction companies and educational institutions dedicated to strengthening the pipeline of skilled workers. This year’s sponsors include BOND, Colantonio Inc., Collier’s Engineering & Design, Columbia, Consigli Construction, Dimeo Construction Company, Erland Construction, Fontaine Brothers, North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, Turner Construction, and Walsh Brothers.

Academic and workforce partners include Building Mass Careers, Building Pathways, the Center for Smart Building Technology at Roxbury Community College, Fitchburg State University, Franklin Cummings Technical College, Mass CEC, the Christa McAuliffe Center for Integrated Science Learning at Framingham State University, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and YouthBuild Boston.

Strengthening the Workforce of Tomorrow

The BAE is part of AGC MA’s mission to help educators translate real-world knowledge into classroom practice — and ultimately, to spark students’ interest in construction careers that blend hands-on work with cutting-edge technology.

The hope is that teachers like Welch will return to Watertown High School ready to connect more students with local pathways into high-demand careers that offer strong pay and room for growth, while helping Massachusetts maintain a robust construction workforce.

For more details about the Building Advancement Externship and AGC MA’s work with schools and communities, visit AGC MA Building Advancement Externship.

Originally reported by Guest Writer in Watertown News.