Students from Northeast Elementary's Construction Club embarked on an extraordinary adventure, opening their eyes to the captivating world of construction. This unique after-school club provides hands-on learning experiences and a chance for students to explore various construction projects.

Unlock the World of Construction with Northeast Elementary's Club

Club Origins and Setup

The club originated from a proposal sent to Superintendent Dr. Terry Terhune a few years ago by the Indiana Construction Roundtable Foundation. With their generous monies and supplies, a school construction club came to life. Ryan Macy, the Northeast club's advisor and a physical education teacher, took on the role with enthusiasm. "I like to tinker and build things at my house, and I thought, 'Why not give it a try?' It was well-structured, and the kids absolutely love it," Macy shared.For the after-school club, around 25-30 students gather for six, two-hour sessions. The first year focused only on the fall session, but last year they expanded to include both fall and spring due to additional funding. This year, the session was held in the fall and concluded earlier this month. All the funding came from the foundation.

Learning Through Hands-on Activities

During the club sessions, students engage in a variety of activities. They start with a construction game to get them excited, followed by lessons on different construction topics. For instance, when learning about concrete, they explore what cement is. There are videos to enhance their understanding, acting as a sort of lecture part. Then comes the hands-on part where they build or make what they are studying.They made circuit boards, undergoing trial and error without blueprints. They also built catapults, birdhouses, tried concrete mixes, and even used Play-Doh and Popsicle sticks to make bridges. They learned the significance of support to hold different weights by placing items on the bridges to test their carrying capacity.

Field Trips and New Experiences

As part of the club, students went on a field trip to a Lennar Homes development where a home was being built. This gave them another chance to see something new. "We have many students who live in apartments and have never been in a real house or upstairs in one. It's quite a cool experience when they see a house with three bathrooms, as some have never seen that before," Macy said.

Future Changes and Adaptations

Looking ahead, the club faces some changes as grant funding will run out. However, they will still be able to keep the equipment. Macy plans to make the club take place during the day instead of after school during his prep periods, allowing more students to participate as not everyone has transportation. He also plans to purchase some supplies on his own, like concrete and nail bags, which will last a long time. The field trips are likely to stop due to lack of funding. The club will likely last longer than six weeks, with two other class blocks available each week to meet with students."It's just going to look a little different," Macy said, emphasizing the importance of these changes in continuing to provide valuable construction experiences for the students.The club is a remarkable way for students to learn about different tools, how to use them, and gain practical experience. It's a unique opportunity that not many elementary schools have, opening up a world of possibilities for these young learners.