C.A.C.T.U.S. is now TradeUp!

In order to effectively attract kids to consider construction related professions as a first choice career, students need exposure to the construction and design professions, trades and business well before high school.  

TradeUp! aims to do just that! We have deployed our program in partnership with Madison Elementary School District No. 38 and other participating groups. Our goal is to offer students valuable experiences and skills in the built environment by bringing TradeUp! to other school sites. Through participation in this hands-on immersive program, students will gain experiences in teamwork, conflict resolution, an understanding of how the design process works, and through experiential learning, an understanding how raw materials can create a finished construction project. Students will leverage weekly early release professional development days so that they can work together to design and build a structure from start to finish. At the conclusion of the program, students will have cycled through various trades, worked on projects that will inspire their curiosity to learn more about the trades and ultimately, consider a lifelong and rewarding career in the trades.