Early Exposure to Career Paths in the Shop at Clayburn Middle

If you are a student at Clayburn Middle School, you will at some point find yourself in our beautiful wood/tech shop, where you will meet your Technology Education teacher, Mr. Gleeson.  He will welcome you with open arms to the world of design and innovation using wood, glass, and plastic. While Grades 6-8 might seem early to discover a passion for the hands-on world of the skilled trades, this is where your journey could begin!  Projects such as curved creations using scroll saw artistry, building a picture frame step by step, along with a designed glass etch, constructing a ping pong launcher for distance and accuracy competitions, designing a 3D print on Tickercad, laser engraving acrylic plastic, creating a simple circuit light-up base, and designing CO2-powered dragsters so they can be blasted down the hallway in an attempt to set the class distance record will inspire just about anyone.  

Each project requires certain skills such as design and manufacturing.  Each class builds upon the skills of the previous one. There is so much fun, energy, and creativity that the room is buzzing with learning and enthusiasm.  Students can look up and see the specific learning outcomes that Mr. Gleeson has put in place for that day.  Statements such as "Students will be able to drill precisely," "Students will be able to make accurate straight rips and crosscuts," and "Students will be able to assemble basic electron circuits" are some of the visual reminders of what students are striving to accomplish in their time in the shop.  

Mr. Gleeson makes it very clear to his students that these skills create the foundations for a good understanding of careers in the field of skilled trades.  The province projects tens of thousands of job openings in skilled trades over the next decade.  These are potential opportunities for students, and Tech Ed raises the profile of trades training in BC. Our students need to be aware of these opportunities available to them at the middle school level.  Meanwhile, students are learning professional skills such as communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking.  These skills will ensure resilient, adaptive, and valued careers of choice while serving the future needs of our community.

Our students at Clayburn are eager to come to school to have their time in the Wood/Tech shop as part of our robust Explorations program. Students in every grade experience woodworking, digital arts, music, cooking, and sewing.  Each course gives students a wonderful opportunity to try out these fields long before they need to start making decisions about their futures.  

Explorations at Clayburn Middle are more than just a few classes that students take—they are hands-on, impactful experiences that help students find some of their passions and purpose, which can and do lead to passions and professions later in life.