Sidney woodworking students craft Halloween spirit
Seventh grade students at Sidney got into the Halloween spirit recently and advanced their woodworking skills by making solar powered pumpkins.
Sidney woodworking instructor Shawn Thompson explained that the project allowed his students to learn how to use a bandsaw.
The students had to come up with their own pumpkin design.
With material cost being high, Thompson explained that the students had to be resourceful. Students were able to utilize used sheets of plywood from other projects as well as some scrap boards from the school’s scrap bin to create the stands for the pumpkins to sit on.
The students also learned how to use a drill press and palm sanders as well and did finishing work by staining or painting their projects, Thompson said.
“This project idea is one I have used for a couple years now,” Thompson said. “I guess it started out as a beginner’s band saw lesson. It always falls during the fall season, so I figured why not make it a fall project and relate it to the season.”
The only costs to the kids for this project were $1 each for the solar powered lights that were placed in a hole drilled out on the backside of the pumpkins.
These pumpkin projects will sit in windows or on ledges or porches soaking up the sun and then come to life during the dark evenings.
“This has been one of my favorite wood projects for the students to do as they get to use new skills and their own creativity,” Thompson said. “(It) Seems to also be a favorite of students and their families.
The ability to do projects always comes down to the availability of materials.
“We are always accepting any donations of lumber or materials for our woods shop classes,” Thompson said .
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