Chaffee Industrial Arts students are "pumped" for their new shop addition and have recently revamped their current work space.

With the school's renowned robotics team, which has placed top in the state three years in a row, the Chaffee School District is constructing an addition to be used by the industrial arts program. Funding for the project came from voters passing a $2.9 million no-tax-increase bond issue in April allowing for improvements and additions at both of the district's buildings.

"Everything we do is getting bigger and better. We wanted to make our shop fit that theme," said junior Hannah Seyer of the students' latest project.

Each of the program's students had a hand in the newly completed renovation of the current industrial arts shop. They began work in spring 2013 when students started cleaning, repairing cracks and holes and priming and painting the walls. Students also painted CIA logos and measurement signs on shop walls. Local business S&W Cabinets loaned the use of a scissor lift to complete projects. Students volunteered their time throughout the summer to complete the renovation.

Students and instructor Jaron McMurry hope the new shop will be completed by Christmas, which will result in several new opportunities for students.

Junior Brandon Ivester said through various funding, two new 3-D printers will be added to the program, a welding lab, a new ShopBot, robotics will have their own room and a designated computer room will be built within the new addition.

Lindsey Koch and Paige Tucker lay out the design for the “divisions of an inch” mural to help students in the building practices. (Submitted by Chaffee Industrial Arts & Technology)

The new 3-D printers will allow the students to make parts and mounts for their robots each year. The parts made are very specific and can't always be purchased. In the past, students have made phone cases and even made toys for children at competitions that come around asking questions, Ivester said.

The new welding lab will keep welding material and lumber separate, allowing for more projects, McMurry said.

The industrial arts program includes classes for woodworking, metal working, graphics design, computer automated drafting and robotics. It has also been crucial in the career and educational paths of many students.

"I never thought I would do anything like this, but the program opened my mind to engineering," Seyer said.

Ivester plans to major in engineering or architecture.

Seyer and Ivester said the robotics team is a huge part of the program and having its own dedicated space will be a huge asset.

"Before we had to work in close quarters and were constantly moving things around," Ivester said.

Students said the competition season is gearing up and their first is Dec. 6 in Arkansas. Seyer and Ivester said the robotics team is not only fun, but they all learn. They say it's a computer based atmosphere where they learn to strategize, give interviews, learn how to work as a team and get to know people from all over the country.

skluesner@semissourian.com

388-3648

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Chaffee, Mo.