Students from Eagle Ridge New Tech High School gained real-world construction experience while showcasing their skills to the community during the KFalls Build My Future event today, held at the John Hancock Event Center.
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Under the guidance of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Construction and Advanced Mathematics instructor David Parker, Eagle Ridge students spent the day building a full-scale shed on site, giving event attendees a hands-on look at what students in the construction program are capable of accomplishing.
“This was all student-driven,” Parker said. “The students designed the shed themselves, and now they’re in the process of building it from the ground up.”
Before construction began, students created detailed drawings that outlined the shed’s dimensions, framing angles and roof design. The detailed plans guided the build throughout the day and helped students translate classroom math concepts into real-world applications.
The project began with students constructing the floor and framing the walls before assembling the structure at the event, which is a non-profit youth trades experience aimed at engaging the next generation of builders and contractors, with students from other high schools in the Klamath Basin assisting Eagle Ridge in their work throughout the day.
Lumber for the shed was sponsored by J&P Wholesale, allowing Parker and his students to take on a large-scale project they otherwise would not have been able to complete.
“They sponsored all of the lumber so we could build this,” Parker said. “Once the shed is finished and sold, we’ll be able to pay them back. That support made this possible.”
Eagle Ridge participated in last year’s event as visitors, but this year Parker requested a dedicated space so students could actively build and demonstrate construction skills. Event organizers and Klamath Community College Director of Apprenticeship Programs, Mark Griffith, agreed, providing a work area where students could use tools, explain techniques and interact with peers from other schools.
Eagle Ridge senior Rose Purkhiser, who serves as the student leader within the class, said the experience was both challenging and rewarding.
“It was definitely chaotic at times,” Purkhiser said. “Some students hadn’t framed walls or floors before, so I helped teach them how to do that. But it was a really good learning experience for all of us.”
The shed will be transported back to Eagle Ridge New Tech High School, where students will continue working on it during class time over the coming weeks. Once completed, it will be sold, with proceeds supporting the construction program.
“It was fun trying to build something this size in such a short amount of time,” Purkhiser said. “We got a lot done in one day, and I’m really proud of what we accomplished.”
“This is why they’re in my class,” Parker said. “They enjoy building, working with their hands and teaching others.”
