​Hatboro-Horsham Students Learn STEM by Building Guitars

Hatboro-Horsham High School Technology Education Teachers Nick Pompei and Adam Killion had a unique opportunity to design and build electric guitars when they attended an intensive five-day workshop sponsored by the National Science Foundation STEM Guitar Project. The duo participated in activities that related guitar design to specific math, science and engineering topics. They took what they learned back to students at the high school and organized the STEM Guitar and Ukulele Club.

“The STEM Guitar Project was one of the best experiences Adam and I ever had. We wanted to introduce the program to students as fast as we could because we knew they would love it,” Pompei said.

The teachers introduced STEM guitar building to a pilot group of students. The organizers are gauging student interest, considering future funding sources and developing plans to expand the club. By the 2018-2019 school year, Pompei hopes to integrate the STEM guitar/ukulele program into the curriculum.

Each week the club focuses on a new step in the build process. Students work on their projects during the week. Some come as often as twice a week. Students are currently adding fret wire to the fretboard and filing. After these steps are completed they will tackle electronics.

Each guitar costs students approximately $200. Pompei is applying for grants to cover the cost of guitar kits and various tools and machinery such as a laser engraver and guitar CNC routing machine, which will allow students to create one-of-a-kind instruments

The 11 members are enjoying the experience and interest in the club is growing.

Hanging from the walls of Pompei’s classroom are the guitars that he and Killion made in the workshop. Students stop and ask about them. “When I tell them we made them, they can’t believe it. It’s hard to get a high school kid to stop and take time to inquire about something or think that it’s cool, but these guitars certainly do that,” noted Pompei.

Most students are building electric guitars but Killion is helping two students build ukuleles, which require finer woodworking and detail compared to the electric guitar.

A recent trip to Martin Guitar Factory in Nazareth, PA exposed students to the art of guitar making. They received tips from the experts which they are applying to their projects. By the end of the year, students hope to have their instruments completed.

The club is open to all students and members are not required to play an instrument.