Mr. Siniawski instructing his technology education class
The New Home Improvement course being offered in our Technology Education Department at Hempfield Area High School is allowing students to learn those everyday things that society wishes they knew when they graduated high school. Whether that be changing a light socket, putting on dry wall, interior/ exterior repairs, or more, students will feel more prepared to be future home owners.
Mr. Testa states this course was added as part of their new curriculum cycle and is being taught in the first semester by Mr. Siniawski, with Testa teaching it in the second. He says, “For this class and more, the department was able to order drones, wood shop equipment, power tools, and graphic equipment.”
Mr. Siniawski reflected on his department by saying that he and Mr. Testa teach run one of the smallest departments in the building. They teach everything from engineering design, graphics, to robotics. Mr. Siniawski says that he thinks this class is important for students to take because students can gain the confidence to do repairs on their own.
He and Mr. Testa have one goal in mind, and that is to provide students with the knowledge and confidence they need to take their skills into the real world with owning a house or any other problems in life. Mr. Siniawski mentions that he had a student that studied engineering, and she said that she was the only one of her friends to be prepared for collegiate courses because of what Mr. Testa and Mr. Siniawski taught her. Siniawski states, “That really hit home for me.”
With this exciting new addition comes a few challenges. Many students have very busy schedules and cannot fit in fun, innovative classes. Mr. Testa explains, “A lot of the students that would enjoy our classes are conflicted in their schedules with either AP labs or CWCTC schedules.” Hopefully with the new building, comes less challenges and a more creative schedule, allowing students to experience new real world electives.
As the year gets underway, students are excited for this new opportunity to gain real world skills in this small but dynamic department.