The 32 students who took part in the Rocky View Schools (RVS) Building Futures program this year showed off the fruits of their efforts June 23 to parents, the public and the media. The students built two detached homes in Ravenswood – both of which are conditionally sold.
Now in its third year, Building Futures was started by Airdrie’s McKee Homes in partnership with RVS, the Professional Home Builders Institute of Alberta and the Alberta New Home Warranty Program, which allows Grade 10 students to spend a year building homes alongside professionals from the trades while still completing school work and earning credits.
“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Ryan McCracken, 16. “You don’t see that very often where you get to go and build two houses from the ground up and also learn your Grade 10 curriculum.”
The Building Futures program, which in 2014 was awarded second place in the Canadian Education Association’s Ken Spencer Award for Innovation in Teaching and Learning, teaches core subjects like English and Math while on build sites, while stressing “skills and competencies such as communication, relationship-building” and maintaining a strong work ethic.
Students from all three of Airdrie’s public high schools – Bert Church, George McDougall and W.H. Croxford – took part in this year’s program. The program also operates in Cochrane, where 23 students recently completed two homes in the Willows of River Heights neighbourhood.
McCracken, who attends Bert Church High School, said he learned a lot during the year.
“It’s really opened my view to the trades to what it’s all like and what I like and don’t like,” he said. “It’s really been a big eye opener.
“I did the framing on this house. The other house I did electrical, plumbing – you name it. Except for roofing and siding, I did it all.”
McCracken’s mom, Carolyn, said she thought the program was an amazing opportunity for her son.
“This is the first school year where he’s loved coming to school every day,” she said. “We have another (son) coming up and we’re hoping to get him into it as well.”
According to McKee Homes President Elaine McKee Doel, more than 100 students apply to be part of the program each year. A total of 36 students have been chosen for next year’s program. Students must submit an application and undergo an interview before learning if they are one of the lucky few to get a spot.
Students in this year’s program also constructed a tiny house out of materials they reclaimed from the dumpsters. According to City of Airdrie Waste and Recycling Services Education Co-ordinator Mara Pratt, the tiny house will be moved to the Eastside Recycle Depot and used as the facility’s new Book Barn.
“The old Book Barn is falling down. We’re thrilled the students made this and are donating it to the recycle depot,” she said.
The tiny house will be stripped of its electrical and solar power before being moved to the recycle depot within the next few weeks.
