Students at Prince Rupert Middle School will have the chance to enjoy the outdoors in style with new picnic tables built by some of their peers.
A group of students ranging from Grade 6 to Grade 8 worked with certified carpenters from the Prince Rupert School District over the course of five weeks to construct four new tables, two of which were installed on school grounds with the other two to be installed at Roosevelt and Lax Kxeen. The students learned how to use different tools in a safe manner — including hands-on time with hammers, drills, compound saws, squares and wrenches — and the different steps involved in taking a project such as this from vision to completion.
For many it was their first experience with carpentry, but the professional-grade tables show their efforts and the lessons from the carpenters were worth the time.
“This project was also a great way for the students to practice what they learn in school, like math, in a hands-on activity. Some of them never used a drill or a compound saw before, and they were very proud of themselves at the end,” said school district careers coordinator Sebastien Paquet.
As well as support from district employees, the creation of the four tables was made possible through the Industry Training Authority’s Youth Event program which paid for all of the materials used to build and install the tables leading to the formation of “The Builders Club”.