Eighth-graders show CO2 cars, cribbage and charcuterie boards in New Prague 's "Spotlight on Success"

At the start of its December meeting the New Prague Area Schools Board heard a "Spotlight on Success" presentation showcasing the district's industrial technology program and student projects.

An unidentified presenter described the program's return after recent staffing changes and introduced eighth-graders Phoebe Wagner and Braden Herman. Phoebe said students complete safety training and a 20-question quiz (requiring a 100% score) before using shop equipment. "The tools that we would have to use were the miter saw, the table saw, drill press, band saw, router, nail gun, disc sander, palm sander, and the CNC router," she said.

Braden described the CO2 car design process, saying students use a computer program to design cars and iterate for drag and aerodynamics. "...we got to race our cars, and the fastest car was 46," he said.

The presenter highlighted projects from Woods I (cribbage boards) and Woods II (charcuterie boards) and showed examples of CNC-engraved items; he said the district was able to buy an engraving machine with support from a grant through the district's Education Foundation. Board members thanked the students and faculty and noted the recently passed operating referendum will help the district continue to offer and expand hands-on technical courses.

What's next: Students will continue the in-class projects and some will advance to high school industrial technology courses; the district said it will maintain waiting lists where demand exceeds available sections.