BZI® Commits to Another Three Years of Support for the Unique Program Empowering All Students to Realize Their Potential for Pursuing Careers in Engineering and STEM Fields.
SUU/BZI Youth Engineering Academy Has Reached More Than 2,500 Students in Four Years, Significantly Increasing Opportunities and Positive Influence on K-12 STEM and Engineering Innovators of the Future. the Educational Program Represents BZI Community Contributions Program’s Focus on STEM and Family Wellness
KANARRAVILLE, Utah–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#Arkansas–BZI® (bzi.com), a leading steel and construction company nationally recognized for transformative innovations in its industries, announced today the SUU/BZI Youth Engineering Academy in partnership with Southern Utah University and Southwest Technical College (SW Tech), continues to experience growth and significant impact on young students interested in engineering and STEM subjects. BZI also announced it has signed another sponsorship agreement to continue its support for the program for another three years.
Since the program’s start in the summer of 2023, the academy has reached more than 2,500 students, is offering eight weeks of camp and 37 classes. The program’s curriculum has grown into additional subjects such as public safety, health professions, welding, and automotive. Art was also integrated into the chemistry, biology and engineering courses for the first time this year.
Girls were also well represented in the camps, still making up more than 34% of the participating students – a higher percentage than the current number of women in several categories of U.S. STEM workplaces.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled with the growth and success of this year’s Youth Engineering Academy,” said Laurel Dodgion, Assistant Director of Southern Utah University STEM Center for Teaching and Learning. “The participation and experiences strongly present the positive future possibilities for our kids in engineering and STEM fields, and hopefully the construction and trade industries. We look forward to continuing our partnership with BZI to inspire our youth toward finding rewarding and fulfilling vocations.”
Four years ago, BZI teamed up with Southern Utah University’s College of Engineering and Computational Sciences to provide this specialized summer camp, which now offers half and full day learning sessions each of the eight weeks. The SUU/BZI Youth Engineering Academy Summer Camps provide immersive and entertaining exercises and curriculum to encourage creativity, critical thinking and new methods of problem solving as they are applied to the art and science of engineering. Students also engaged in an extensive curriculum that included building robots, rockets, 3D printing and manufacturing, laser cutting, computer programming, multiple forms of coding and other types of engineering design.
With more camps, more participants, and a collaboration with Southwest Technical College, the companies say it was a really fun summer with these young scientists and engineers.
“The SUU/BZI Youth Engineering Academy is driven by BZI’s and SUU’s desire to foster excitement and future innovators in STEM fields. It’s rewarding to see the vision is not only continuing to gain momentum, but the academy is bringing growth opportunities to young students and their families, while helping to increase the level of future engineering talent in the marketplace,” said Spencer Douglas, Chief Marketing Officer at BZI and one of the BZI leaders behind the development of the unique rural educational program.
In line with BZI’s mission, vision, and values, the company has developed a national Community Contributions Program to give back in meaningful ways to communities where BZI conducts business. The company supports projects and organizations that contribute to the betterment of our communities and their residents by promoting education and literacy, humanitarian causes, health and wellness, and vocational development.
“Creating high-value opportunities and building thriving communities are core pillars at BZI. The SUU/BZI Youth Engineering Academy helps us to achieve both of these goals and in a way that will provide long-lasting benefits to the students, their communities and STEM industries,” said Megan Lamb, Director of Community Engagement at BZI.
For more information about BZI, visit bzi.com, email office@bzi.com, or call 888.509.2280.
ABOUT BZI
Considered one of the top steel and construction organizations, the BZI® group of companies headquartered in Kanarraville, Utah, operates through three primary organizations: Building Zone Industries, LLC is responsible for steel erection, while BZI Steel, LLC specializes in steel fabrication. InnovaTech®, LLC specializes in designing, engineering and manufacturing innovative construction equipment and processes to enhance efficiency and safety on the job.
The company continues to receive numerous industry awards and accolades for its exceptional performance and contributions to its industries. The company has been the recipient of:
- BZI’s VP of Safety Honored with Utah Business 2026 Executive Excellence Award
- USA TODAY 2026 Top Workplaces Leadership Award to CEO James Barlow
- USA TODAY 2026 #1 Top Workplaces for Frontline Workers
- USA TODAY 2026 #7 Top Workplaces for companies 500-999
- Seven Top Workplaces Excellence in Culture awards in 2026
- Top Workplaces 2026 Construction industry Award
- BZI’s President Thomas Harker honored in 2026 Utah Business Forty Under 40
- BZI named No. 6 in ENR’s List of Top 20 Steel Companies
- The Salt Lake Tribune named BZI No.3 Utah Top Workplaces 2025 for Large Businesses
- BZI®’s affiliate InnovaTech® — First place in the 2025 Utah Business Innovation Awards in the Industrial Manufacturing category
- No. 1 Construction Top Workplaces
- Inc. Best in Business 2024 for Construction: BZI Innovation Park
- USA Today’s Top Workplaces (Second year – Ranked No. 11 in the nation for midsize companies in 2025)
- Utah Business Fast 50 (No. 12 ranking)
- Top Workplaces Construction Industry Award
- Salt Lake City Tribune Top Workplaces for two years (No. 5 ranking in 2024)
- One Utah Summit “Rural Rockstar” Award presented by Utah Governor Cox
- Best Employer by Cedar City Chamber of Commerce
- CEO of the Year by Cedar City Chamber of Commerce
- CEO of the Year 2025 Award – Utah Business
- Trade Partner in Safety Excellence (Layton Construction)
BZI is a proud member of and accredited by AISC, an organization that has recognized BZI with its top safety award, the “Erector Award of Honor” multiple times. CEO James Barlow serves on the Forbes Business Council and Inc. Leadership Forum and is a recipient of the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige Award. Jakob Harker, President of InnovaTech, is a proud member of the Fast Company Executive Board, an organization of select senior executives, founders, business owners, and industry experts who are defining the future of business.
BZI’s mission is to revolutionize the steel construction industry through innovation and team performance, while accelerating project delivery and setting new standards in safety and efficiency.
BZI is completing and executing major construction projects across the United States and is recognized as a leading provider of innovative construction solutions nationwide. Its reputation for excellent client and operational performance is attracting premier companies from around the world. These organizations are building with BZI as a trade partner and bringing new economic opportunities across the U.S. through the many BZI projects. Top customer industries include e-commerce retail, manufacturing facilities for batteries, aerospace, microchips, electric vehicles and food and beverage.
Contacts
For more information:
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Teresa@arcadepartners.io
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