Pittsburg students get hands-on experience in construction - KOAM TV 7

Pittsburg students get hands-on experience in construction

Some students put on hard hats today for a hands-on experience in construction work in Pittsburg.

The eighth grade students were shown how math skills directly relate to the construction industry.

Fort Scott Community College set up carpentry stations where the students could hammer and even drive some machinery.

The event was held at the college's Pittsburg campus.

Instructors say they want to encourage these students to pursue carpentry as a career.

"Not all of them have to have this as a career choice, if they take one class during high school and learn a little bit about carpentry, a little bit about masonry, that's something they're always going to have knowledge wise, nobody can take from them," says Nacoma Ohme, the head masonry instructor at the school.

"I didn't know how to use the Bobcat, or the front loader, and I didn't actually know how to hammer a nail properly," says Sarah Ludberg, a Frontenac eighth grade student.

Next month the class will be open to elementary students in Arma and Fort Scott.