Foundations for the Future Week Returns to Science City April 7–12
On any given school day, the sound of hammers and saws is usually tucked away behind classroom doors. But for one week each spring, those skills — the ones students have been quietly honing — take center stage at Union Station’s Science City. Foundations for the Future Week, returning April 7–12, transforms the historic landmark into a celebration of possibility, craftsmanship, and the young people preparing to shape Kansas City’s built environment.
For many of these students, this is the moment when classroom lessons become something tangible. Something they can stand inside, touch, or proudly point to as their own. And for the community, it’s a chance to see the future workforce in action — creative, capable, and eager to contribute.
Where a Playhouse Becomes a First Job Site
In the Haverty Family Yards, 13 children’s playhouses will form one of the largest Parade of Playhouses the event has ever hosted. Sponsored by Ashner Construction and Bodine-Ashner Builders, each structure represents weeks of planning, measuring, troubleshooting and teamwork. For some students, it’s the first time they’ve built something at full scale.
Schools contributing playhouses this year include:
Each playhouse will be auctioned to support Science City’s STEM programming — a full-circle moment where student craftsmanship fuels future learning for younger kids. Click here to bid! Bidding ends April 12 at 5:00 p.m.
Inside Union Station: Ideas Take Shape at KC MADE
Just steps away, Science City will host the KC Manufacturing and Design Expo (KC MADE) from April 7–11. Here, the projects can range from furniture pieces to arcade-style games, each one a testament to the imagination and technical skill of students in grades 9–12.
The competition isn’t just about winning. It’s about showing what’s possible when students are given the tools — and the trust — to build something extraordinary.
Participating schools include:
Industry professionals will evaluate the entries, offering feedback that often becomes a turning point for students considering careers in construction or manufacturing. Anyone can vote for their favorite project to win the People’s Choice award. Click here to vote! Voting ends April 11 at 10:00 a.m.
A Ceremony That Feels Like a Beginning
The week culminates on Saturday, April 11, with an awards ceremony at Union Station. It’s a celebration, yes — but also a crossroads. Students shake hands with industry leaders, ask questions about apprenticeships and sometimes walk away with the first real connection that leads to a job.
For the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City (KCHBA), this is the heart of the event: inspiring students to see construction not just as a class, but as a future. A future that strengthens the region’s workforce and supports attainable homeownership for families across Kansas City.
A Week That Builds More Than Projects
Foundations for the Future Week is more than a showcase. It’s a reminder that the next generation of builders is already here — creative, determined and ready to contribute. All they need is a place to start.
More information is available at kchomework.com.
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