Clovis High students help redesign classroom through hands-on construction and design project
Looking ahead, Clovis Unified hopes to expand opportunities for students to apply their skills in real-world settings.
CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) -- Students in Clovis High School's Career Technical Education Building and Construction Trades program are learning more than just theory.
They recently had the opportunity to help redesign a classroom on their own campus, putting their design and planning skills into practice.
The program teaches students the full building process, from developing an idea to creating plans and eventually constructing a final product. Instructor Ron Webb oversees the pathway and says students are introduced to the many steps that take place before a project is built.
"So we really focus on everything that happens before the building is actually built: document preparation, and also the idea," Webb said.
Action News visited Webb's Building Information Modeling, or BIM, class, where students use industry-standard software such as SketchUp to create designs.
They also use virtual reality technology to explore projects in a realistic environment before construction begins.
Last school year, students had a chance to apply those skills when Webb proposed remodeling his classroom. At the time, the room was arranged much like a traditional computer lab.
"There were computer workstations for every student," Webb said. "It was fantastic, but it didn't allow for a lot of flexibility."
Students helped develop ideas for improving the space and provided feedback on proposed designs. Junior Logan Grimm was among those who contributed suggestions.
"Mr. Webb was like, 'Hey, we're getting a room remodel. What do you like about it? Here's what I'm thinking. Is there anything you want to change?'" Grimm recalled. "I was kind of like, 'Yeah, I think this would be a good idea. It'd be cool if we could have moveable tables.'"
Over the summer, those plans became reality.
The renovation included removing cabinets from the back wall, repositioning computer monitors so they face the front of the classroom and adding mobile desks that can easily be rearranged for group work and collaborative projects.
For Grimm, seeing the project completed has been rewarding.
"It's just really cool to see a product from just an idea to design, and then we're here now in the new room," he said.
Webb said the project demonstrated what BIM students are capable of and has already generated interest from educators across the district.
"I've already had a couple of teachers here at Clovis High as well as across the district say, 'Hey, I have an idea for my room. Do you think you have students who might be able to help with that?'" Webb said.
Looking ahead, Clovis Unified hopes to expand opportunities for students to apply their skills in real-world settings. One idea under consideration would partner BIM students with education pathway teachers to design mini teacher centers at school sites throughout the district.
Educators say projects like the classroom remodel give students valuable experience while showing them how the concepts they learn in class can have a lasting impact beyond the classroom.
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