Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

'Hammer' Project Builds Real-World Skills for Kids

Photos and story by James Hill

by James Hill

Local fifth-grade students will have hammers, and much more with a new partnership between PCC and The Home Depot, the national home improvement retailer. The two have teamed up to sponsor the "If I had A Hammer" project at the Rock Creek Campus for the next two years. The partnership officially began on Nov. 27 with a class of 25 fifth graders from Findley Elementary in Beaverton. They were guided through the hands-on construction of a custom-built 8-foot-by-11-foot miniature house.

The idea behind the process of making the structure is to teach them the importance of the workplace and develop a strong education. Afterward, the students received T-shirts and a certificate for their effort.

"PCC is providing the fifth-grade students at Findley a tremendous opportunity to integrate math, science, communications, art, economics, community service, team building and problem solving," said Findley teacher Katherine Kirsher. "My students often want to know why it is so important to study hard in school, and this program aids students in identifying the connection between the importance of their academic studies and the ‘real world’."

Spencer Hinkle, instructor in the PCC Building Construction Technology program, led the day. There were four teams of students, each in charge of constructing one side of the house. Hinkle, with help from employees at The Home Depot, alternated between lecture and hands-on work.

Learning wasn’t confined to just building construction; Hinkle sat down on the front step of the house and listed things that could harm a house, like floods and termites. He then asked what types of things harm their bodies and one girl raised her hand and exclaimed, "Drugs."

The day had every one impressed, including the volunteer parents that led each group.

"It seems like a great education opportunity for the kids to experience architecture and building trades," said parent Julie Glover. "Especially in this area of Portland with so many new homes in this subdivision. It also emphasizes teamwork to the students and prepares them for the business world where you need to work as a team. My son asked me to volunteer before they had sent out the announcement about it. He was that excited."

The house was anchored in Room 105 of Building 2 through winter term. Students from local school districts will re-build the kit house. The hammer bosses, PCC staff, will then take the house apart for the next group of students. Students will also take tours of the PCC campus, including the environmental studies center and the farm, to give both students and parents exposure to PCC and to encourage students to be successful in school and prepare for college.

"’If I Had A Hammer’ is not so much about building a house, but a way to help students see the differences between work and school," said Hinkle. "Also, it teaches them the importance of all school subjects, workplace and life skills, and making good decisions. It’s a whole lot of fun, too."

The college has agreed to run the program for two years. The "If I Had a Hammer" project is funded by a $50,000 grant from The Home Depot for the initial training of the bosses and the construction of the house. PCC is seeking more corporate sponsorship for this project. It is part of the national "If I Had A Hammer" program that involves more than 70 colleges nationwide. It began in 1989 and has served more than 200,000 fifth-graders throughout the country.

"We’ve been a national sponsor of the event since 1990," said Rick Payne, customer service representative with The Home Depot. "The program is multiple educational pieces and not just the process of putting physical pieces together."

The "If I had a Hammer" program is a cooperative effort between Home Depot, PCC and PAVTEC, the coordinating group that links Portland Community College courses and faculty to high school students and teachers.