Students in April Hart’s class at Dutchess BOCES’ Resilience Academy learned how to use circuits to turn on red and green lights from Career & Technical Institute (CTI) teachers Dec. 22 as a reward for their help in organizing tools for the Trade Electric Program.
This visit came as a result of Hart’s students helping students in Instructor James Hayes’ course, as well as the Automotive Technology program sort out materials by a variety of different attributes: size, color, shape, usage and style. In addition to learning how to use the circuits by Science Teacher Michael Traudt, students also made Christmas ornaments out of old green and red wires.
“This was their reward for helping us organize,” CTI Teacher Erin Scott said of the students. “It was a huge collaboration.”
While it was fun for the students, Scott noted that they received lessons in science, fine motor skills, following directions and adjusting to a change in their schedule as they spent the majority of the afternoon in the Trade Electric Classroom.
“That’s a true life skill,” Scott said of the students adjusting to change.
Hart finds that her students enjoy the collaboration and on this visit they saw the Trade Electric students’ workplace up close while working on a hands-on project. Her students will help the Construction Trades program with sorting its materials and possibly help Cosmetology students too.
“The students love it, they were looking forward to it all week,” Hart said.
Lloyd Conners, one of Hart’s students, most enjoyed making an ornament.
“My favorite part was twisting the wires,” Conners said.
First year Trade Electric student Jason Portillo-Wooden showed the projects he and his classmates are working on to Hart’s students. He appreciated their help in sorting their tools, adding that there should be more collaborations and visits between CTI kids and students with special needs to help break stigmas.
“They’re gems waiting to be seen,” Portillo-Wooden said of Hart’s students. “I’m always trying to be open-minded and help other people no matter who they are.”
