Elise Spontarelli -
11 Students, 2 Projects, Big Impact
This January, as for the last two years, we have welcomed high school students from New Covenant Schools to the makerspace for a 7-day J-Term. This year, we expanded the offering to include Blacksmithing, as well as the previously offered Woodworking intensive. Students all spent 40+ hours over the program learning to use tools, practice techniques, and produce some impressive finished products.
Blacksmithing
4 upperclassmen worked with instructor Ken Pritchett, a certified Level II Blacksmith by the Artist Blacksmith Association of North America. Starting with beginner techniques, each student learned to work with the metal to slowly shape it into their desired artpiece. The goals of this course were to ignite a love of making and build confidence in forging steel for each student. Participants started with important safety concerns and terminology of the blacksmith shop. Throughout the course, students used the forge, anvil, hammer, vise, tongs and punches to create an artistic blacksmithing project. Their finished project was a decorative frame and scrollwork that is riveted together. Once completed, students took advantage of their new skills and extra time in the shop to create work of their own design.
Woodworking
In another area of the shop, 7 students embarked on an ambitious woodworking project. In collaboration with Rush Homes and Old Dominion Furniture Company, the students worked with instructors Alex Klingen and Elise Spontarelli to build a childs playhouse. Each year Rush Home hosts a Parade of Playhouses to bring community together in support of their mission to provide affordable housing to individuals with disabilities. In just 7 meetings, students learned basic carpentry skills, cut, assembled, and designed interior and exerior details of the structure. To fit with the space theme, students tapped into their own childhood memories to create a playhouse that invites imaginative play. "[This playhouse] will not only provide for those who need special and/or affordable housing," said freshman Mac,"but it will also serve as a tutor to some child’s imagination." Laser engraved designs sit against a space-blue backdrop on the exterior. Inside, a command center and 3D printed items encourage imagination. "I made my design decisions by thinking about what a kid would like and what would be fun to a kid while also thinking about weather resistance," said Mitchell. Materials for the playhouse build were sponsored by Old Dominion Furniture Company, where students also had a chance to tour and see what woodworking can look like as a career. While building their own skillset, students also chose to create a playhouse that is wheelchair accesible. "Every time I used a tool in the woodshop it was a first for me," says senior Graden. About working collaboratively with classmates he added, "[I] tried to lead and listen to suggestions while staying on theme." With the playhouse now complete, students and families will reconvene on April 25 for the Parade of Playhouses event!
