7th Grade Tech/AG Class:
Mr. Mesik’s Industrial Tech/Ag 7 class provides many hands-on learning opportunities for Central 7th grade students. For some students, it’s a great opportunity to learn some skills with tools that could help them in the future. For other students, it’s the start of something big that impacts classes they take in the future and possibly what career they choose to pursue.
While each quarter is a little different in what is done and how it is taught, there are some concepts and activities that are considered mainstays of the class. For example, as students brush-up on their measurement skills, they all make a “giant inch” out of paper, to review fractional measurements and prepare themselves to use tape measures in the shop.
Once considerable safety training has been completed, students are able to build some skills in the shop, making some basic wood projects. Among the projects completed is the classic “nothing box.” It’s a great skill-building activity, but in the end, it’s good for nothing. Along the way, though, students learn to drill holes, use nails and screws, work with a variety of wood joints, and more. Students also each make a nutcracker out of wood and cut an animal out on the scroll saw.
In addition to the woodworking, students explore the basics of internal combustion engines. They get to learn about engine tools, remove an engine’s cylinder head, and learn about valves, pistons, and the basics of a 4-stroke engine. Time is also spent learning what FFA is all about, how the world of agriculture impacts each student’s day-to-day lives, and what high school agriculture classes are options for them once they are registering for classes for grades 9-12. Additionally, Mr. Mesik would like to thank Modern Design for their support. Back during distance learning in late 2020, the 7th graders made airplane kits, just like their 8th grade counterparts. Thank you to Modern Design for donating those kits!
Shawna Anderson and Kaelan Widmer show a completed nothing box project.
