Tech and tinker summer class is huge success in first year

Some Eugene Brooks Intermediate School students received a sample taste of what they may be doing in seventh grade technology class by participating in the Summer Enrichment program’s tech and tinker class.

“I’ve had a lot of fun,” said rising sixth grader Jayden Saintifort. “I learned how to use tools and do different things.”

Aaron Howard, who teaches technology to EBIS students and shop classes to high school students, served as the tech and tinker teacher.

“He’s very funny and he’s a good teacher,” said Saintifort.

The four-week class had students use tools to build toolboxes and a laser tool to cut out parts to construct birdhouses. In the final week, students learned wiring to create battery-powered model cars with electric engines.

“I’m having a lot of fun being with my friends,” said Elaina Howard, rising fifth grader and

daughter of Aaron Howard. “Working on the cars has been fun.”

Students built two model cars, a four-wheel drive battery-powered car and vehicles with a universal wheel system that will redirect automatically when it runs into something.

“I think it’s a good introduction to just basic power, using the wiring connections from the batteries to the electric motor to understand how they work,” said Aaron Howard. “They’re having a lot of fun.”

Howard, a Webutuck graduate, joined the faculty for the 2024-2025 school year as the district reintroduced technology and shop classes for students.

“This is a good introduction for them to technology,” said Howard. “There is a lot of similar stuff. Part of the intermediate technology requirements is transportation, mechanics and basic electricity.”

Howard said he enjoyed working with students in the summer’s tech and tinker class.

“We had a lot of fun,” said Howard. “We stay busy. I look at the clock sometimes, and time has flown by and it’s time to clean up.

“I hope we inspire more students to come out next summer.”