by Channel 2 News staff
Monday, June 7, 2010
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Students traded in some summer fun Monday to hammer down job skills.
More than a dozen students at Central Middle School spent the day learning various construction trades. The program is funded through a grant by the state Legislature in hopes of having young Alaskans learn trade skills early, and then use those skills in jobs within the state later on.
Central Middle School science teacher Dave Lennihan helped the students build sheds, doghouses, and kids' playhouses Monday.
"Here we actually do a job, and it feels good at the end of the day to have something standing," Lennihan said. "And the kids like to do this -- I'm more likely to be their friend here than I would be if I was teaching another class."
"I've learned about the nails, and their lengths, and what they're used for and learning how to build this," said student Michael Giles, beside a structure he was working on.
