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Capstone Seniors Build Playhouse for Appleseed

August 20, 2015

A group of five students from the CE 497/499 Senior Design students designed and built a playhouse consisting of recycled materials that was auctioned off for $14,500 to benefit the NM Appleseed program.  The building was designed to be a two-story structure of 100 square feet for each floor.  A rock climbing wall, cargo net, white board, and wooden toys were included in the structure. The playhouse was donated to Rio Rancho Presbyterian Head Start program to be used as part of their playground.

The students that participated in the playhouse construction included: 
Caleb Mason, Rueven Jim, Rafael Tapah, Luis Varela, and Albert Villescas.

New Mexico Appleseed is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization focused on improving the lives of the poor and underserved through systemic change.  Our results are high impact and lasting and include activities such as:
* Create self-sustaining local and statewide partnerships to end hunger.
* Change state and school district policies to ensure more children access afterschool meals, summer food, and school breakfast and lunch.
* Expand the backpack program throughout the state.

The following companies contributed resources to help with the playhouse construction:
ABC Seamless, Arviso Construction, Going Custom, Home Builders Association of Central New Mexico, Homebuilders Care, Prosource Flooring, Stock Lumber.  A special note of appreciation goes to Bain Cockran of Cockran Construction for providing guidance, use of his property and tools, and mentoring the team.