MHS Construction students working on the sheds in late January
Construction students at Madras High School are working on an engaging real-world project that will benefit members of their own community. Students are designing and constructing 25 storage sheds for tenants at Madras Senior Housing. This project not only provides storage for people in need but also serves as a stepping stone for students to apply their skills and knowledge to understand the construction process better.
Brian Martz is the Construction teacher at MHS. After talking with the client and understanding their requirements, students in Construction 2 sketched out the design specifications and estimated materials and costs for a prototype. They constructed the first shed, refining dimensions and processes along the way. The dimensions are 8ft x 3ft, 6ft tall on front and 6’-9” on back with a door on the end.
Currently, thirteen teams of students are working together to build half of the sheds. Everyone on the team is learning every step of the process so they can perform any task required. Through this hands-on experience, students are learning and refining their residential carpentry skills, measuring skills, workplace safety skills and they’re also learning the value of teamwork.
Beyond honing their carpentry skills, Martz has set broader goals for his students.
“My goals for the students are to first gain an appreciation for what goes into the design/build process of the products and goods they use every day as a consumer,” he said. “An understanding of where our resources come from, how they get processed, and the many career possibilities that are involved to make it happen for them.”
Moreover, this project is serving as a bridge between academic learning and a real world work environment. Students must use what they’ve learned in the classroom from reading, math, science, and understanding technology to come up with solutions for the project.
“They practice job getting and job keeping skills every day in this class,” Martz said. “This particular project is a simulation of a work environment that is quite different from the academic classroom.”
Looking to the future, Martz hopes this helps his students come up with a career plan and execute the plan with confidence after they graduate from Madras High School.
The storage shed project exemplifies the importance of CTE education. It’s not just about building structures; it’s about building futures – one shed at a time.