The importance of seeing a project through to the end holds unexplainable value.
Grade 10 students from Cochrane High School and Bow Valley High School are part of the Building Futures program. This year's program is made up of 26 students who work daily to construct two homes from start to finish.
The partnership between Rocky View Schools and Kingsmith Homes have allowed for a unique out of the classroom experience. This program wouldn't be possible without the two teachers involved, Richard Dupre and Dave Pedersen. While one is on site with the students, the other is in the makeshift classroom teaching the course load. Although the application process is lengthy, students are eager to be part of such a non traditional curriculum.
"It's an alternative learning environment where students learn in a finished garage, and then we head on to site," explains Richard Dupre. Dupre says the students work in groups of four to five and get to work - hands-on - in a half day session with a tradesman on site.
"Right now we are working with carpenters and doing some framing on the house, but that gradually shifts into electricians and then plumbers so whatever trade is on site. The kids actually get to see the house get built from the ground break right up until you put the locks on the door," Dupre said.The program first got up and running in Airdrie nearly a decade ago and was met with such success it is now in its sixth year in Cochrane. The group of students are together every day, all year, which represents a family like concept and allows for team building.
"Everyone gets on site twice a week for a couple hours and some kids will pick up right where the last group left off, so they really have that team mentality to get the house done," said Dupre.
Dupre pointed out there is a variety of students in the program from those with some experience, to those who have never picked up a hammer. It's an unconventional way to learn and there's a sense of pride knowing that they contributed in the creation of the homes, he said.
The tradesman are also patient with the students. It's not their normal pace of work, but slowing down to teach the students has formed relationships and showcased the art of trades in another light. Dupre credits Kingsmith Homes as a great company to work alongside saying the connection between school work and trades is transferable.
"The cross curricular links that we can make with the trades is unbelievable," said Dupre. He added science and math are almost in every lesson associated with building the homes. "They can get so many credits just by being hands on."
Another important aspect of the program is establishing community connections. In the past the students have built dog houses for the Cochrane and Area Humane Society. They are presently putting something together for the Cochrane Pumpkin Lantern Festival.
The current home being built is 1,349 sq. ft. with the neighbouring home anticipated to start development next week. The only restrictions for the students on site is they can't be above 10 ft. without any surronding walls, and they must be wearing steel toe boots, safety eyewear and hard hats.
There will be a site dedication at 27 Willow Street at 1:30 p.m. today (Oct. 24). Feel free to head over and see the positive impact the students have made in their community and within its program, Building Futures.
