Shop class builds outdoor classroom for Central High School

CORINTH, Maine (WABI) - A shop class has helped Central High School students bring learning to the great outdoors.

“We used a little lift to lift up all the boulders, pull it up, cut the wood to make the board, and we made everything by hand pretty much,” said Brody Fahwley, one of the students who helped build the classroom.

“We used shovels and rakes and flattened out the ground before we could bring the stones over. Before that, we used mulch to make little beds for the stones to sit on,” stated Jonah Nason, one of the students who helped build the classroom.

“We came up with a design. They wanted us to try to incorporate some old granite curbing that was laying around. So, the first challenge was trying to figure out how to move those. We don’t have equipment to use, so it’s all by hand. And we got those in place, and everyone worked together. It was a really great project,” explained UTC CTE Exploratory Instructor at Central High School, Douglas Depew.

Whether the topic is biology or classic poetry, plenty of students can utilize the space.

“So, it’s been well received by all the teachers here. I believe they’re going to try to get out on these nicer days, like even today, you might see somebody out there. They do try to come out here and use them,” Depew added.

“I can see a lot of kids enjoying their classes out here on a nice warm day, and I think it’s going to be put to good use,” said Angel Sutton, one of the students who helped build the classroom.

The shop class also teaches useful skills that can be used in a trade or just everyday life.

“Some of them have never even held a hammer before, so we’ve started the basics, and kind of worked out from there. And we’re still learning more of the tools and safety behind them, but the kids have really taken this on and are really trying hard and everything we’re doing,” explained Depew.

Projects like these can also bring a great sense of accomplishment.

“It is good to know that we did something that’s going to be able to affect other classes that come to the high school, and they’ll be able to use that classroom and take advantage of the stuff that we built for them. It feels good to know that,” said Ayven Bernosky, one of the students who helped build the classroom.