Hands-On Learning

Glenn Sanders takes his turn operating the excavator while Brad Johnson provides water to keep the dust settled as Area 30 Career Center students demolish a house next to Hopkins-Rector Funeral Home on Percy Julian Drive in Greencastle Wednesday. The project, part of Construction Equipment Operation classes taught by Scott Livesay, not only allowed students to experience operating an excavator but seeing and completing a demolition from start to finish. Students in the Building Trades class, instructed by Donnie Watson and assisted by Bob Johnson, were able to experience tearing out wiring and electrical systems in a home. Students were able to pull down dry wall, unwire and rewire the home as well as disconnect and reconnect a water heater. Denny Construction oversaw the project as well as provided the excavator for students' use during the demolition. Scott Herrick, general manager of Hopkins-Rector and Bittles and Hurt funeral homes, made the project possible in hopes of providing a learning experience for the students. Other Area 30 students involved in the project were Kenneth Sargent, William Cerran, Nick Scott, Hayden Perish, Elliot Harris and Dustin McKracken.