Kansas City Zoo will bring the ocean to the BBQ Capital of the World this fall when its new 650,000-gallon Sobela Ocean Aquarium opens to the public. The $77 million endeavor is the largest capital undertaking in the zoo’s 114-year history. Missouri State University senior Lindsey Sanderson had the opportunity to work on this once-in-a-lifetime project during her internship with JE Dunn, the zoo’s general contractor for this project. Sanderson, a Citizen Scholar award recipient, is a construction management major in the department of technology and construction management (TCM). She is pursuing a minor in interior design. She visited the zoo the summer before her internship and saw the construction in its beginning stages. “I thought to myself how cool it would be to get the opportunity to work on such a unique project,” Sanderson said. “Finding out I was placed on the team was a dream come true.”
A world-class experience
As one of two project management interns, Sanderson worked on progress tracking, attended meetings, recorded minutes and made weekly site walks with her team. This was the first large scale aquatic undertaking for JE Dunn. Installing complex piping and life support mechanisms created interesting challenges for the group. “The site walks helped us learn about all the unique systems and components of the aquarium,” Sanderson said. “Creating an oceanlike environment was something I’ve never seen before. It was such a great learning experience.” Kansas City Zoo intends for the aquarium to open new pathways to ocean conservation, education and research in the Midwest. According to the zoo’s website, visitors will enjoy an up close and personal experience with various marine life.
Exhibits begin at the warm-water shore habitat then travel “deeper” through mangrove forests, sandy shores, tropical lagoons and coral reefs. Patrons will then “ascend” through a kelp forest and end at a cold-water rocky shore. Each habitat will showcase a variety of fascinating ocean life, immersing visitors in the experience of being at the ocean.
Supporting students
Sanderson is highly involved with TCM student organizations. During the 2022-2023 academic year, she served as president of Missouri State Women in Construction, social chair of the Construction Club and secretary of the Sigma Lambda Chi Construction Honor Society. Sanderson credits faculty for providing her with the knowledge she needed to succeed during her internship. “My TCM professors always push me to be my best and so did my aquarium project team with JE Dunn,” she said. Sanderson works part-time with JE Dunn’s Springfield office during the school year. She is set to graduate in December. “In my career, I plan to remain an advocate for women in the construction industry and find ways to get involved in my local community,” she said