HEJ Food Pantry Project

Two 4th Grade classes at Harry E. James Elementary wanted to collect food for the Hopewell Food pantry at their school. Each class set out to build a collection box that would be sturdy enough to use for other collections in the future. Designing and assembling the boxes allowed them to use practical math skills like addition and subtraction of whole numbers and fractions.

Students brainstormed measurements and sketches in class with Coach Halas, and he used their designs to create models in SketchUp, allowing them to see what their designs would look like and to check the initial design math before getting materials. Videos were made to show the classes what their models would look like, which can be seen here:

Ms. Cohen's Class: https://youtu.be/pVhcn4I_d1k

Ms. Szewcyk's Class: https://youtu.be/HLlQMXxghxg

With approval from the students of their models, Coach Halas cut the materials at HHS and brought them to HEJ. HEJ students drilled pocket holes for joinery, and used mechanical and glue connections to assemble their boxes with help from adults.

Students painted their boxes and the doors were attached for final assembly and exhibition.