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Creative spark
IN FOCUS: Boardman Industrial Arts
Gallery
Boardman High’s industrial-technology program gives students something to build on
STORY & PHOTOS
BOARDMAN
About 40 years ago, a bowling-pin lamp created in a high school wood-shop class was considered above-average work.
Such a project probably would bring nothing but laughs and a roll of the eyes from today’s “shop” teachers and students.
At Boardman High School, the industrial-technology department, which encompasses a major part of a wing at the school, teaches students everything from woodwork to machine shop, metals, welding and mechanical and architectural drawing.
The program’s instructors have more than 100 years of teaching experience and have kept the curriculum so interesting that the program has seen an increase every year for the past 10 years.
In fact, several female students are now in the department once dominated by males, said instructor Bob Day. “The girls have a much steadier hand when welding than most of the boys,” he added.
A student’s project or projects must be completed in the semester and can range from making a vise or metal toolbox to a miniature steam engine in the machine area under the direction of Michael Powell.
Students in the wood shop designed, built, then disassembled and reassembled a concession stand for the varsity boys baseball team this year.
Day teaches electric-arc welding, gas welding, cutting and brazing, a process of joining two pieces of metal.
Students continued their standard project of making metal/wood benches for the Canfield Fairgrounds. Each bench also used a plasma cutting machine to cut the fair’s rooster logo into the metal.
The students have to use their math, drawing, design and research skills to complete their creations.
Each year in late May, the industrial-technology department has an open house to show the work students produced.