|
|
|
PITTSBURG —
A group of Pittsburg State University instructors has been teaching what could be part of the next generation of builders this week.
A group of about 20 Pittsburg area students between the ages of seven and 14 have been taking a beginner’s course on construction techniques at the Kansas Technology Center. Throughout the week they learn about the theories of structural support, how to measure the pieces of a building project, and how to work as a team.
“The purpose is to expose the younger kids to construct and let them get an idea of what it’s like,” Audo said, adding that he enjoys seeing the youngsters soak in all the information he and his students and faculty members are giving them. “You can just see the kids’ creativity.”
On Wednesday, the young students learned how bridges are built, then designed and built their own out of popsicle sticks and on computers. Earlier in the week they learned how professional builders measure the strength of concrete and lumber — and on Friday they will pressure test concrete cylinders they mixed and poured in an electronic press, an event that was wildly popular at last year’s camp. The kids also will construct five three foot by two and a half foot dog houses. Three of them will be given a way in a drawing for the kids, and they will give the other two to the Southeast Kansas Humane Society.
Alex Riley, 12, of Pittsburg, said the camp was a fun way to stay busy during the slow summer months.
“It busts boredom and you actually learn stuff instead of sitting at home eating potato chips and playing video games,” Riley said as he and his friends constructed an arch bridge. “And you get a bunch of hands-on activity that you don’t normally get in school.”
Riley said not all aspects of the camp were easy, though.
“This is tougher than it looks, especially when you have no idea what you’re doing,” he said.
Ten-year-old Sydney Nicklaus asked her friend, 10-year-old Addyson Campbell, both of Pittsburg, to attend the camp with her. She said she enjoyed building birdhouse designs on the computer. Campbell, whose dad, Clayton, has a bow-hunting show on TV and whom she helps build tree stands, said she couldn’t decide which project she liked the most.
“Everything so far has been fun,” Campbell said.
Campbell said she might pursue construction of some sort when she grows us.
“Maybe...if it includes tree stands,” she said.
Dominic Bevilacqua, 9.5, also of Pittsburg, said his dad works in construction and that he likes watching him work.
“I really want to do construction,” he said.
A group of Pittsburg State University instructors has been teaching what could be part of the next generation of builders this week.
A group of about 20 Pittsburg area students between the ages of seven and 14 have been taking a beginner’s course on construction techniques at the Kansas Technology Center. Throughout the week they learn about the theories of structural support, how to measure the pieces of a building project, and how to work as a team.
“The purpose is to expose the younger kids to construct and let them get an idea of what it’s like,” Audo said, adding that he enjoys seeing the youngsters soak in all the information he and his students and faculty members are giving them. “You can just see the kids’ creativity.”
On Wednesday, the young students learned how bridges are built, then designed and built their own out of popsicle sticks and on computers. Earlier in the week they learned how professional builders measure the strength of concrete and lumber — and on Friday they will pressure test concrete cylinders they mixed and poured in an electronic press, an event that was wildly popular at last year’s camp. The kids also will construct five three foot by two and a half foot dog houses. Three of them will be given a way in a drawing for the kids, and they will give the other two to the Southeast Kansas Humane Society.
Alex Riley, 12, of Pittsburg, said the camp was a fun way to stay busy during the slow summer months.
“It busts boredom and you actually learn stuff instead of sitting at home eating potato chips and playing video games,” Riley said as he and his friends constructed an arch bridge. “And you get a bunch of hands-on activity that you don’t normally get in school.”
Riley said not all aspects of the camp were easy, though.
“This is tougher than it looks, especially when you have no idea what you’re doing,” he said.
Ten-year-old Sydney Nicklaus asked her friend, 10-year-old Addyson Campbell, both of Pittsburg, to attend the camp with her. She said she enjoyed building birdhouse designs on the computer. Campbell, whose dad, Clayton, has a bow-hunting show on TV and whom she helps build tree stands, said she couldn’t decide which project she liked the most.
“Everything so far has been fun,” Campbell said.
Campbell said she might pursue construction of some sort when she grows us.
“Maybe...if it includes tree stands,” she said.
Dominic Bevilacqua, 9.5, also of Pittsburg, said his dad works in construction and that he likes watching him work.
“I really want to do construction,” he said.
