The Rising Stars Program, a nonprofit that aims to close the skilled labor gap by connecting young adults with career pathways in construction, gave Cleveland Heights High School students an unforgettable experience on October 14 when the non-profit organization challenged them to a hands-on building competition with Nudura and HGTV’s Dave Marrs at Tremco’s newly opened Façade Fire Lab in Cleveland.

The after-school event was designed to spark Cleveland-area students’ interest in construction and homebuilding careers, while also encouraging collaboration and problem-solving. Dave Marrs, co-host of HGTV’s Fixer to Fabulous, shared his personal career journey and spoke about the skills needed to succeed in the building industry. Marrs also recently partnered with Nudura on a residential project in his hometown, highlighting the energy efficiency, durability and sustainability benefits of Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) construction.

To better understand this building method, a group of 15 Rising Stars students worked together in small teams with Nudura’s ICF materials to tackle a construction challenge that encouraged them to think like future builders, applying creativity and teamwork to bring their ideas to life.

“This event was a powerful example of what Rising Stars is all about—connecting young people with real-world experiences, industry mentors and the tools they need to imagine a future in construction,” says David Hutchinson, executive director of the Rising Stars Program. “We’re grateful to Nudura and Dave Marrs for giving our students this incredible opportunity.”

The event coincided with the grand opening of Tremco’s new Façade Fire Lab, which will serve as a hub for advanced product innovation and fire safety testing for the construction industry.

The Rising Stars Program operates in six cities across the United States—including Cleveland, Boston, Brockton, Brooklyn, Charlotte and Newark—to prepare high school students for careers in the construction and green building sectors. By combining classroom lessons with industry mentorship and hands-on experiences like the Nudura ICF challenge, Rising Stars equips young people with tangible skills and exposure to pathways they might not otherwise encounter.

“Seeing our students interact with an industry leader like Dave Marrs and work directly with Nudura’s innovative materials is inspiring,” Hutchinson added. “It shows them firsthand that a career in construction is not only attainable but also exciting and impactful.”