This is a program I've been running here at the farm for the local high school shop class. Out of more than 10 high schools within a 20 mile radius, this is the only one that still HAS a shop program due to decreasing budgets and disinterested students. This particular school realizes that not every kid is going to go to college and have developed programs that will hopefully give them an idea of what's out there for career opportunities. Today's class was by far the most enthusiastic group I've had in the 4 years of the program's existence. They were still asking questions and wanting to do more as their shop class instructor was attempting to herd them back into the bus!





Mr 'D', the shop class Instructor, Shawna Meyer, Michigan DNR & Jeff Steinkraus, Forester/Instructor-Steinkraus Forest Management address the class from Climax-Scotts High School Shop class before entering the woodlot. There's a lot for them to absorb in the short 3 hours we're together, but safety in the woodlot is at the top of the list.




Forester/Instructor Jeff Steinkraus of Steinkraus Forest Management directs a student from Climax-Scotts High School Shop class in learning one method of determining the diameter of a Cottonwood tree.




Another student from the Climax-Scotts High School Shop class learns an alternative method for determining the diameter of a Cottonwood tree. Math is a big part of the forestry and wood products industry, and through these exercises they discover first hand the practical applications of what they learn in the classroom. I was always horrible with math when I was in school because I could never see where I'd use it in real life. Hopefully this opens their eyes a little in regards to that aspect.




Students from Climax-Scotts High School Shop class learn how to determine the height of a tree in order to estimate the amount of lumber it may yield. Math application again!




Jeff Steinkraus instructs students from Climax-Scotts High School Shop class how to use a Biltmore stick to calculate board footage from a log. I don't need to say it, but I will anyway; there's that math again.




A student from Climax-Scotts High School Shop class runs the sawmill to make 1-1/8" thick black cherry boards. A 20 minute safety speech along with gloves, eye protection and hardhats donated by Lowe's punctuate the message that safety is the first and foremost priority.




Students turn the log after making the first cut with the sawmill. Enthusiasm and participation was high with these students!




After the raw log is sawn on 4 sides to make a square 'cant', another student from the Climax-Scotts High School Shop class takes his turn at the sawmill.




Coffee Break! Our friends from 'Coffee Rescue' provided coffee, hot chocolate, pop and pastries for the participants and instructors. ('Coffee Rescue' is kind of a neat idea. It's not the traditional 'roach-coach' that shows up at the same place every day. These people have a daily route but go to a different set of locations each day so it remains sort of a treat to look forward to once a week. Their truck is a refurbished ambulance!)
With the log now completely sawn, a nice pile of 10" wide black cherry boards awaits use in the Climax-Scotts High School Shop class.




The crew! It's always fun to load 'em up on caffeine and sugar then send 'em back to class! LOL!

 

Who was the Hippie looking character in those last few pics??

That's great that they can get out and learn something outside the classroom.....for some, that's really the only way to absorb info......hands on learning.

Kudos!!!

 

That was the Michigan Sasquatch.

 

Very cool [cool]

Did the say what projects they'll be using the boards for when they get back to class?

 

awsome!! I like the proud, confident looking dude the rear right in the pic!
he looks like he has the 'successful' fire in his eyes, body language... hope it stays.
way 2 go Scottybro!

(stop with the horse shampoo, you are looking more and more like the cowardly lion.) signed,
Help me I'm Burnnnnnnn innnnnnng
i'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog too! (flying monkeys hopping around)

 

I don't know. I didn't see anyone that looked like a hippie!

No, they didn't and I didn't think to ask. Some of them do pretty intricate stuff tho. Last year one of them made a full-size grandfather clock from curly maple.