Bobby Isaac
Snapshot
Build It, Use It, Appreciate It: Creating Our Own Workbench
High school students have a lot of pressure to prepare for college and earn a degree. For a lot of people, going to college is an automatic choice when they complete high school. But is it always the right choice? Not necessarily! As a CTW construction and heavy equipment teacher, I hope to not only show students that can you make a great living by working in a skilled trade, but you can also fulfill a growing need.
In order to qualify as a skilled tradesman, you also must work in a job that requires on-the-job training, direct skills, and work experience. By completing lessons such as this workbench construction, students begin to develop fundamental skills that can follow them into trade school and future careers.
Funding from this grant would allow for the purchase ten foot length 2×4’s so students can utilize the extra length for legs and supports. The table top will be formed using the 2×4’s and the few extra will make legs and support braces. Students will also get to operate a Massca m2 jig. This unit will allow the students the opportunity to use recessed connecting screws to connect all joints. This can be considered 21 century tooling necessary to help students conform to today’s working environment. Students will also install G”x 2″ casters on all four legs so the table will be mobile, as needed. These casters have locking wheels to keep the table from moving during construction projects.
Also in regard to construction safety, this grant requests a Dewalt Dust Extractor. As a second year school we are working within ordinary classrooms and there is no dust collection system, other than heating and cooling, in place on school groups. For safety of the students and all staff in the building this is essential for project completion and upcoming future projects.