Eye on ECCS: Technology Education

 

NOTE: Occasionally throughout the school year, we will visit a school across Eastern Carver County Schools. Some weeks the plan may be to stop in multiple classrooms by grade, or by subject. Other weeks it may highlight a certain specialist group. The purpose is to give families and our community a glimpse into the every-day learning environment happening in our buildings. A chance to spotlight the incredible work our teachers and staff do on a daily basis for our students, and to showcase the incredible work our students produce as well. So, keep your Eye on ECCS!

Bennett Eriksrud is involved in many things at Chaska High School. He’s a state qualifier in DECA, a member of Key Club and National Honor Society. He’s a shining star academically. But when he’s in the technical education wing of the high school, his passion comes out.

“My brother (Max) was always into woodworking and when I was able to see what he was able to do, it inspired me to want to get into it. He’s been more of a furniture guy, while I’m more of a nick-nack guy. Making something I can hang in my room or practical stuff,” Eriksrud said.

Wanting to extend his talents beyond the standard cutting board or bird feeder projects in Woods class, Eriksrud went to work with Sam Porthan, the school’s new technical education teacher. Using a CAD (computer-aided design) machine that had primarily been used for the robotics team, Eriksrud took his vision of a map of the United States of America with engrainment of stars and stripes of the country’s flag and turned it into reality. 

He worked with one of his close friends, Gavin Moen, captain of the Chaska Robotics team, to learn to convert a 2D design into 3D, then how to cut out the project using a 3D rendering tool. 

Eriksrud was able to create a hand-held version during the first semester. Weeks into the second semester, he had created a much larger version of the work. “Once we had the small one programmed, there was a tool in the software to scale it up, so it was just about changing some bit sizes,” said Eriksrud, who figured it took the CAD about 30 minutes to cut out. “I really wanted to take the initiative to learn how to use the software. There is so much more creativity that can be done with that machine and this program.”

Classmates used the CAD to make cribbage boards in the early stages of the semester as well.

FOLLOWING IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS
If the name Porthan rings a bell, it’s because Sam is a Chanhassen High School graduate, the Class of 2017, the oldest of four siblings. His parents, Janae and Tony, are teachers at Victoria Elementary and Chaska Middle School West. He worked at Waconia High School previously before coming back to Eastern Carver County Schools this school year.

“I’d say I really started being interested in becoming a teacher in high school. Being at Chanhassen High School, I loved the tech ed program with Mark Lacy and Peter Mommsen, who was there at the time. They kind of pushed me into that direction. I knew what the teacher lifestyle was with my parents. The positive impact they have had on so many kids throughout the district, I was really drawn to that,” Porthan said.

Porthan is currently teaching Introduction to Robotics, Design and Fabrication Metals, Know Your Car, and Design and Fabrication Woods. 

HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE
Junior Ethan Roberts is in his first woodworking class this semester. He took Architectural Drafting 2 last semester with Mr. Porthan and came away impressed. The class designed a shed on the computer and then brought it to life in the shop, framing the walls, adding a door and windows, and finishing with a roof.

“We designed a miniature shed in a program called Revit and then we actually got a chance to build it, to set it all up. Going from square one to see how people would design it, then build it, then put it together; it was so important for me. It was so nice to be in the shop, learning how to frame a wall, and to learn the process after the architecture and drafting piece,” Roberts said.

Porthan believes the opportunities in his classes are important for all students to learn.

“This area is great for all students, whether they are interested in 4-year degrees, 2-year degrees or apprenticeship programs.  We want to show them there are many options for them to explore, wherever their passion lives,” he said.

Porthan and students presented examples of recent student work at registration night in January.

“It’s so useful,” said Roberts of technical education classes. “I learned how to frame a wall down here. Something I could actually use ahead of me in life. It’s so important to learn these skills. Why pay someone a ton of money someday to do some of these projects when I can learn to do them now?”

“Part of the (metals) class was learning how to weld. I was able to weld on a tangible thing I’ll be able to use in the future. When you have a project you need to get done, and the skill you’re learning will help you achieve that, you’re really wanting to get to work on it. I think Mr. Porthan is really good with not only the how, but the why behind his teaching,” Eriksrud said.

THE FUTURE
Porthan has enjoyed his first year being back in the district. He envisions adding more technical education classes in the future such as Building a Tiny House.

“I’m very excited for the future. I know next year I’ll be taking more wood classes and it will be fun to develop ideas for what my next projects could be, said Roberts, a junior. “The projects we’re working on right now are challenging for my level right now, but once I’m able to build these skills up, I’m excited to see what I could do in the future.”

“In my last job, we had a wide variety of students in my classes. It was students that wanted to try something they weren’t proficient at and wanted to learn some problem solving skills and build life skills. They’re actually doing a hands-on task. We had kids that were interested in being a plumber or electrician to someone interested in being an aerospace engineer all in one class. There’s a place here for everyone,” Porthan said.