SUU/BZI Youth Engineering Academy Grows More Than Six-Fold in Three Years, Significantly Increasing Opportunities and Positive Influence on K-12 STEM Students and Innovators of the Future

August 14, 2025 at 11:00 AM EDT

Educational Program Represents BZI Community Contributions Program’s Focus on STEM, Health and Wellness and Families

The Program Actively Breaks Down Barriers Related to Gender, Race, and Income, Empowering All Students to Recognize Their Potential for Pursuing Careers in Engineering and Other STEM Fields.

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), has experienced tremendous growth and significant impact on young students interested in engineering and STEM subjects. Since the program’s start in the summer of 2023, student numbers have grown more than six-fold, went from two weeks to nine weeks of camp, 40 classes and the program’s curriculum is growing into additional subjects such as public safety, health professions, welding, and automotive. Girls were also well represented in the camps, making up more than 34% of the participating students – a higher percentage than the current number of women in U.S. STEM workplaces.

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SUU/BZI Youth Engineering Academy grows more than six-fold in three years, significantly increasing opportunities and positive Influence on K-12 STEM students and innovators of the future. The educational program represents BZI Community Contributions Program’s focus on STEM, health and wellness and families, and actively breaks down barriers related to gender, race, and income, empowering all students to recognize their potential for pursuing careers in engineering and other STEM fields.

"We couldn't be more pleased with the success of this year's Youth Engineering Academy,” said Bill Heyborne, Dean, College of STEM/Professor Biology at Southern Utah University. “With more camps, more participants, and a new collaboration with Southwest Technical College, it was a really fun summer with these young scientists and engineers. We eagerly look forward to next year."

Three 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 nine 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.

“We are thrilled to see this type of exponential growth and positive impact in such a short time,” said Spencer Douglas, Chief Marketing Officer at BZI and one of the BZI leaders behind the development of the unique rural educational program. “The SUU/BZI Youth Engineering Academy is fueled by BZI’s and SUU’s desire to foster excitement and future innovators in STEM fields. It’s gratifying to see the vision is not only gaining momentum, but the academy is bringing growth opportunities to young students and their families while helping to elevate the level of future engineering talent.”

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 is our driving purpose 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 James Barlow, CEO of BZI.

In appreciation of BZI’s support, students of the academy look forward to presenting Barlow a decorative piece made of steel using their skills learned and honed at the camps, during an upcoming meeting.

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.

BZI’s partnership with the one-of-a-kind SteelTech Academy™ provides training, certifications and continuing education to all its team members. An exclusive technical, safety, vocational, and leadership training center, the academy provides training in OSHA (10) and (30) certifications, equipment operations, fall protection, and industry-specific welding certifications. Since 2021, SteelTech Academy has issued thousands of certifications across these disciplines and consistently logs over 33,000 student contact hours annually. As part of this expansive training curriculum, the academy also offers a Department of Labor certified Apprenticeship Program, helping to shape relevant skills and advance careers for those wanting to pursue construction as a vocation.

The company continues to receive numerous industry awards for its exceptional performance and contributions to its industries. The company has been the recipient of:

#1 Construction Top Workplaces 2025
Inc. Best in Business 2024 for Construction: BZI Innovation Park
USA Today's Top Workplaces (Second year – Ranked #11 in the nation for midsize companies in 2025)
Utah Business Fast 50 (#12 ranking)
Top Workplaces Construction Industry Award
Salt Lake City Tribune Top Workplaces for two years (#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 awards, the "Erector Award of Honor” and “Safety Award of Merit.” CEO James Barlow serves on the Forbes Business Council and is a recipient of the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige Award. 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.