A great way for students to learn is to connect classroom lessons with their personal experiences and interests. So Skate4Concrete was the perfect curriculum for Gary Gillespie’s second-year Principles of Engineering class, as students learned about building with concrete while creating the miniature skate park of their dreams.
With a passion for miniature skateboard sets, Ferris sophomore Colton Banks was especially excited to learn how real skate parks are built.
“I learn more from hands-on projects. That's something I love about this class a lot, it's super hands on,” Colton shared.
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Students created digital designs on computers, used 3-D printers to make obstacles and skate park features, and built a base with Styrofoam before getting their hands dirty as they laid the cement over the model.
The class also welcomed guest speaker Dave Fisher of Interstate Concrete and Asphalt, who shared about science of concrete and the scale of local concrete industry projects, like the new Amazon warehouse, which required 11,000 concrete trucks and an investment of more than $16 million.
Gillespie noted that completion of Skate4Concrete includes a certification that’s recognized by the concrete industry, like the Washington Aggregates & Concrete Association (WACA) and local industry leaders, so students have an advantage if they pursue careers in construction and manufacturing.
Learn more about Career & Technical Education opportunities for Spokane students.