Tech Ed. department continues multi-year tradition of building toys for the holidays
The 3-D Autodesk Inventor file of the toy chicken, as created by Paige Harlan.
EAST MARLBOROUGH — Although this is the season for giving, few things are as precious as items that are handcrafted and built with love for those less fortunate.
Once again, the Tech Education classes at Unionville High School are producing hand-made toys to be given to area underprivileged kids — to be donated to Toys For Tots — this year. The students are building wooden chickens that will end up gifted to young children later this month, while learning first hand about creating, designing and building a product using state of the art technology.
From left to right, Mary Schuh, Emma Dougherty, Janet McGann spindle sanding toy chickens.
The students, under the supervision of teachers Mike Berkeihiser, Steve Ortega and Neil Linkmeyer, are again making over 100 wooden toys in support of the Marine Corps. Toys for Tots program.
Students in all department classes, as well as the Technology and Engineering Club, have been designing and building wooden chickens with colored plastic balls inside over the last few months. The work has taken a true team approach from concept to completion as students worked through the process.
Some of the Unionville High School students involved in the project pose with the finished product. From left to right: Ryan Meehan, Brigid Reilly, Analise Griffiths, Paige Harlan, Payton Jaenisch, Brianna Bialko, Lauren Adams.
Berkeihiser said that students in the engineering design program started researching project ideas and creating 3-D CAD models back in August. These CAD files were used to cut out the bodies of the chickens, as well as drill holes for the eyes and wheel pegs using a computer-numerically controlled (CNC) router.
Students in Materials and Manufacturing classes then rounded the edges using a router table and sanded the chickens smooth using spindle sanders, disc sanders, belt sanders, palm sanders, and by hand.
Thomas Jung and Victoria Vaughn adding wheels to the wooden chickens.
Students then sprayed the bodies with clear finish and painted the heads and beak. Then they added the wheels and the brightly colored balls
Berkeihiser said that the program is a great experience for UHS students because they get to apply the skills they are learning in class to help out in their community.
He offered specific thanks to the UHS PTO for again providing financial support to help pay for materials.
