Page 10 - TTWISpring2025

Construction
Page 10 Electronic Edition: www .teachingtodaywi .com

Built for Success: Construction is Growing in Elk Mound

high school career endeavors. walls/stairs/roofs, to finish work like vinyl
The construction program also has been siding, metal work like soffits and door instal-
able to take a field trip to Build My Future Wis- lations, plus more. Each year the program is
consin that is offered at the St. Croix County getting stronger, with more learning opportu-
Fairgrounds in Glenwood City. All students in nities for students to succeed in if they choose
construction were in attendance and this was this for a career.
open to 9-12 grade students in our Technology Projects we have done include:
and Engineering classes offered at Elk Mound. • Stair and deck framing. We built 5 of
Our school had 90 students in attendance, and them in class to be delivered and used
we took two full buses to the event. The Build locally.
My Future Wisconsin event allows for stu- • We also are building a storage shed that
dents to have a hands-on and very interactive is 8' x 8' with a pull-down door in the
experience in the construction field. Students front for a local community member.
have the entire fairground to explore topics
like framing, electrical, concrete, tree trim- • We even had a chance to have a local
ming, related welding, and much, much more. contractor come demonstrate how to
Students pick what displays, equipment opera- pour stamped concrete “cookies”. We
tions, and learning labs they want to explore. had industry speakers come in to talk
Students even get a chance to talk to people to the class about industry demands and
in the field to network with industry repre- what it is like to run your own company.
sentatives, tech schools, and apprenticeship/ I am so thankful for all of the support
Bill Steinke teaching, this has been a class I have taught journeymen. They were even given a shirt given to the program by the college, local
Elk Mound Area School District my entire career. Construction is a semester (neon green) to been seen clearly at the event industry/community partners, and our support-
The construction program at Elk Mound class and in the past, we offered the class once and as well as other goodies they gathered ive district that wants to see students engage
has been growing and continues to see student a year. This year we have had a high level of from vendors. and flourish as they explore the many career
engagement at high levels. My name is Bill interest with two sections. The fall class had In our construction program, students opportunities in the construction field.
Steinke, and I am the construction teacher at 16 students and the spring semester has 10 will get to learn the basics to more advanced
Elk Mound High School. This is my second students enrolled, grades 10-12th. We have an concepts in construction. For example students
year at Elk Mound, but I am in my 22nd year of agreement with a nearby technical college for will learn to measure accurately, general blue-
teaching, and it never gets old to see students all of these students to receive a transcripted print reading, power tool operations, potential www.elkmound.k12.wi.us
wanting to explore and learn about a topic like college credit. This has been very exciting to careers, and dimension lumber to more
construction in class. Other than my first year see our students get a head start on their post advanced concepts like estimating, framing

Bridges Construction & Renovation

carpentry, floor framing systems and build- basement. 1164 Day Street is 1362 sq ft with
ing codes. all rooms on the first floor. The basement is
Bridges students also have the opportu- completely unfinished, but an egress window
nity to receive OSHA 10 certification. OSHA was installed so a future owner could add addi-
is the Occupational Safety and Health Admin- tional living space in the basement.
istration, and is responsible for worker safety For the 2022–23 school year, Bridges
and health protection. students worked on two new home builds,
Upon completion of the program, stu- including a house at 421 4th St. in Green Bay
dents are prepared for an apprenticeship, in partnership with NeighborWorks Green
future education and in-demand careers such Bay. The site was previously a vacant lot.
as architecture, construction, engineering and The new single family home has three
the military. bedrooms and two baths. The students built
Beyond skills building, the program pro- a 24' x 24' detached garage. Students will
vides an opportunity for students to make a worked on the floor, walls, framing, siding,
positive impact on their community by build- roofing and finished carpentry of the home.
ing and renovating safe, affordable housing. Because these homes have a smaller footprint,
For the 2024-25 school year, Bridges stu- students had the opportunity to do more roof
dents are working on a new home build at 929 framing, most of the drywall, and most of the
N Broadway on Green Bay’s west side and a finished carpentry.
new home at the corner of Irwin and Walnut If you have any questions about Bridges
Streets on Green Bay’s east side, in partner- Construction & Renovation, call West High
Bridges Construction & Renovation is the application of carpentry, masonry, home
an educational pathway within the Green Bay wiring, plumbing and architectural design. ship with NeighborWorks Green Bay. School at (920) 492-2600 or email Chris
Area Public School District that offers stu- Throughout the one-year Bridges Past Projects: Ziegler cjziegler@gbaps.org.
dents a community-based, hands-on learning program, students work together to com- For the 2023-24 school year, Bridges stu- Bridges Construction & Renovation
experience in the construction and renovation plete a hands-on project, attending class dents built new home builds at 1162 and 1164 website: https://west.gbaps.org/quick-
industries. at West High School for approximately Day Street on Green Bay’s east side, in part- links/bridges-construction-renovation
Students work with professional con- two days per week and working on-site for nership with NeighborWorks Green Bay.
tractors to learn about structural design, three hours a day for three days per week. Both homes are three bedroom, two
building safety, blueprint reading, rough Students earn three high school elective bathroom homes. 1162 Day Street is 1391 sq
and finish construction, modern design and credits and five credits from a local techni- ft, including a bedroom and bathroom in the www.gbaps.org
home improvements. Students also explore cal college in the areas of introduction to