Lakehead Constructors, Inc.

Building Our Future at Rock Ridge Public Schools Students in Mr. Little’s 5th-grade class (North Star Elementary) and Mr. Foster’s Home Maintenance class (RockRidge High School) recently teamed up to build 12 mini wood sheds. This project fostered strong collaboration between the two teachers, and we’re also excited to partner with Pohaki Lumber, a sponsor of both the Junior Construction Lab at Northstar Elementary School and the Rock Ridge High School Construction Lab. Pohaki Lumber will supply the materials for the sheds. The collaboration began when the high school students proposed a project for the 5th graders: building small wood sheds. The high schoolers started by creating scale models of various shed designs, ultimately selecting one and constructing a full-size prototype. After making some modifications, they finalized the design. The high school students then created a detailed parts list and began mass-producing the components, focusing on reducing waste and maintaining accuracy. Once all parts were cut, the 5th graders were invited to the Pohaki Construction Lab at Rock Ridge High School to begin assembly. During the build, the 5th graders worked in groups, each guided by a high school student mentor. The 5th graders were responsible for constructing and assembling the wood sheds, while the high schoolers offered guidance and assistance when needed. Research shows that teaching others is one of the best ways to truly grasp a concept, and by having high school students teach the 5th graders about building, we believe this experience will have a lasting impact on all involved. For the 5th graders, being exposed to carpentry and construction will inspire excitement about exploring these types of classes when they reach high school. This project provided a rewarding experience for everyone. The mentorship between the high school and 5th-grade students helped form meaningful relationships and encouraged participation from all, even students who are usually more reserved in other classroom settings. It was a fun and engaging opportunity for everyone. We would like to express our gratitude to Pohaki Lumber for providing sweatshirts and T-shirts, The True North Stars Carl Perkins Career and Technical Education Career and Exploration Grant for covering transportation costs, and the Northeast Service Cooperative Rural CTE Impact Grant for funding the materials. If anyone is interested in purchasing one of these wood sheds, see that attached flyer for more details. All proceeds go towards the High School and Junior High Construction Clubs. Thank You!

Thank you to Lakehead Constructors, Inc. for hosting a fantastic tour at the MinnTac Mine in Mt. Iron, MN. The Associated General Contractors of Minnesota's Leadership Blueprint program is nearing graduation and we can't wait to celebrate! To learn more about our professional development options and to register, visit our website at www.agcmn.org