Questar III BOCES’s hosts hands-on learning event for elementary schools
Area fourthgrade students recently got hands-on experience building toolboxes while learning about careers in the trades as part of Questar III BOCES’ Business and Education Partnership Service at a recent event, announced the group in a press release.
This fun, hands-on activity to raise student awareness about careers in the building trades was organized by Questar III BOCES and GNH Lumber, who provided the materials, the release said. Both organizations are members of the Northeast Construction Trades WorkForce Coalition. Excelsior Wood and Hitchcock Builders developed the kits and along with B&B Forest Products, Hunterfield Ministries, Questar III and GNH Lumber, had staff guide students in building the toolboxes.
“The toolbox build program offered through the Northeast Construction Trades WorkForce Coalition is one of our most popular activities,” said Pam Stott, executive director of the coalition, in the release. “We offer it to students grades two through five to begin planting the seed about work in the trades.”
Northeast Construction Trades WorkForce Coalition took the initiative to educate students directly. Partnering with local builders, they organized programs from second grade through high school. According to the release, the sessions are educational, interactive and give students hands-on experience with tools and technology used in construction.
“Events like this bring invaluable experiences to students,” Questar III BOCES District Superintendent Dr. Gladys I. Cruz said in the release. “Not only do they teach practical skills, but they also instill a sense of pride and accomplishment, which can inspire a student’s future career path in the trades.”
“We’re happy to be a part of the toolbox program,” said John Ingalls, president of GNH Lumber, in the release. “GNH Lumber understands the importance of sharing knowledge with the next generation of craftspeople and helping them understand opportunities in the building trades. It’s our future.”
Questar III’s Business and Education Partnership Service attends the Northeast Construction Trades WorkForce Coalition’s monthly meetings and is involved in similar efforts to develop a wide range of K-12 activities and broaden awareness of careers in the building trades, the release said. Questar III BOCES will replicate this activity with several school districts through the end of the school year.