Hands-on house project

May 01, 2008 12:14 pm

— BY JESSE HOFFMAN
GJCTC SENIOR
At the beginning of the school year, students in the construction programs at Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center were in for a surprise.
They were going to build a house.
When Robert Custer, the instructor, told the class about the project, the students thought this would be a great experience.
I have attended GJCTC since 10th grade and this was my third and final year in the electric/HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) program.
The electric/HVAC program was in charge of the residential wiring, including outlets, lighting, switches, smoke detectors and the breaker panel.
Before the project began, students learned how to read blueprints.
They studied them because the blueprints showed where to mount electrical boxes.
Although students study blueprint reading in class, these were different because they were actually building what was on the paper.
The students really enjoyed the hands-on aspect of this project and getting to see everything on paper to the finished product.
On April 24, GJCTC and Leventry and Leventry Realty proudly held their final open house for the project.
Students, faculty and staff, along with members of the community, toured the home.
Following the open house, students will add the finishing touches to the project, including carpeting.