Westlake High Students, 4th-Graders Build Birdhouses

WESTLAKE, OH — Fourth-graders recently toured Westlake High's technology and engineering classrooms, to take part in some hands-on activities.

The students, part of Angie Gerhan's class at Bassett Elementary, have been working on an exhibition showcase for the IB Primary Years Programme. The students focused on the idea "What can you explore and make today?" Students have brainstormed, questioned, researched, listened to speakers, experimented, and taken action.

Gerhan's class then visited Scott Kutz and Adam Purdy at Westlake High. The two high school teachers led the fourth-graders through a series of activities. Students from Westlake High's TechMates Club, Robotics and Know Your Home classes worked with the fourth graders.

During their time at Westlake high, the fourth-graders built birdhouses, saw presentations on robotics, architecture, design, 3D printing, laser engraving, computer graphics, airbrushing and other engineering tools.

The Westlake PTSA supplied all the lumber and fasteners for the birdhouses. Students used western red cedar for the project.

"This collaboration, using high school makers and mentors for elementary students, is intended to help broaden students’ perspectives on the potential of today’s youth to affect everyday life and to inspire them for the future," the Westlake schools said.