Park students must take two art credits to get their diploma. Some students play an instrument in the band or orchestra, and others do typical art classes like drawing and painting. However, in a room full of big machines and a floor covered in sawdust, students craft and carve wood projects. It isn’t a normal quiet classroom environment. The class, Woodworking, provides unique opportunities for students at Park.
Freshman Owen Mccoy said he enjoys Woodworking. He said the opportunity to use new tools and techniques to create pieces of art excites him.
“I like all of the machines we can use and the type of cuts we learn to put into the wood to create art,” Mccoy said.
Woodworking teacher Trevor Paulson said taking the class is beneficial because it takes many other subjects you use in school, and combines them to create art.
“Woodworking gives you a way to apply stuff that you’re learning in other classes,” Paulson said. “Between math and some of the sciences, when you look at some of the different things you are putting some of your learning into the world with hands-on experience.”
Freshman Luke Shepard said he likes the ability to try new things in Woodworking. He said he enjoys having no boundaries on what he can create.
“I like how you can learn a lot of new things that you don’t have the opportunity to in other classes,” Shepard said. “We have the freedom to use our imagination creatively.”
According to Paulson, taking an art credit like Woodworking is important because it is centered around the student. He said students can be creative while still applying aspects of school.
“(Woodworking) gets you to think outside of the normal task, by being able to be a little more creative,” Paulson said. “Students can tie things into their own, whether it’s your culture or other aspects of your life. You pick and choose your projects for the most part.”
Owen Mccoy said Woodworking has led him to gain knowledge of woodworking equipment safety. He said he has learned about himself through taking the class as well.
“A lesson I’ve learned is how to stay safe around machines. (Also to) be creative. People can learn new things, and things about themselves,” Mccoy said.
Sheppard said classes like woodworking are fun because you can enjoy time with friends. He said he values the assignments and the projects they do in class.
“I like that you can be with your friends and talk to each other. You don’t have to be in assigned seats the whole time. It’s also a lot of hands-on work,” Sheppard said.
According to Paulson, he wants students to take away aspects of thinking and doing new things from woodworking. He said he wants students to also focus on safety around tools and the workshop in the future.
“(I want students to take away) the importance of the ability to think outside of the box and being able to be a little bit more creative,” Paulson said. “They hopefully will be able to find ways to use tools safely so that they feel comfortable being able to do it in their everyday life.”
