Students and faculty returning this fall to Northeast State at Blountville campus can enjoy learning in the wild at the new Dave Clark Outdoor Classroom completed this summer.
The ribbon was cut on August 14 to open the outdoor classroom located off the Hurley Walking Trail on the northeast edge of the campus. The ceremony also recognized the College’s Engineering Design Technology students who created the classroom design and the construction firm that brought the design to life.
The outdoor classroom project was initiated with Northeast State Engineering Design Technology students competing in a contest for instructor Daniel Arnett. The competition challenged students to submit their best design for a community service project. That winning team of students-now-alumni were Ronnie Hobbs, Nate Berning, Blake Robertson, and Jonathan Green.
In 2002, the design was submitted to the SkillsUSA’s national community service project grant competition sponsored by Lowe’s Home Improvement. Northeast State won the grant becoming one of 16 institutions from 11 states to receive a grant via the Community Services Project competition. The grant totaling $14,950 funded materials to construct the designed project. Additional funding for the project was provided by the Northeast State Foundation.
The classroom features a concrete floor and six-sided beam structure with multiple study tables. Other study benches can be converted into tables to accommodate multiple students or audiences. The classroom is named for Dave Clark of the Clark and Company construction firm in Kingsport. Clark’s team completed the construction and enhanced the classroom’s initial design to add stability and accessibility for all students. The outdoor classroom is open to college and community members.
A nonprofit national education association, SkillsUSA serves middle-school, high-school and college/postsecondary students preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations. Northeast State established its SkillsUSA chapter in 2017. Student members have competed at and won numerous awards at state and national SkillsUSA competitions.
Students and faculty returning this fall to Northeast State at Blountville campus can enjoy learning in the wild at the new Dave Clark Outdoor Classroom completed this summer.
The ribbon was cut on August 14 to open the outdoor classroom located off the Hurley Walking Trail on the northeast edge of the campus. The ceremony also recognized the College’s Engineering Design Technology students who created the classroom design and the construction firm that brought the design to life.
The outdoor classroom project was initiated with Northeast State Engineering Design Technology students competing in a contest for instructor Daniel Arnett. The competition challenged students to submit their best design for a community service project. That winning team of students-now-alumni were Ronnie Hobbs, Nate Berning, Blake Robertson, and Jonathan Green.
In 2002, the design was submitted to the SkillsUSA’s national community service project grant competition sponsored by Lowe’s Home Improvement. Northeast State won the grant becoming one of 16 institutions from 11 states to receive a grant via the Community Services Project competition. The grant totaling $14,950 funded materials to construct the designed project. Additional funding for the project was provided by the Northeast State Foundation.
The classroom features a concrete floor and six-sided beam structure with multiple study tables. Other study benches can be converted into tables to accommodate multiple students or audiences. The classroom is named for Dave Clark of the Clark and Company construction firm in Kingsport. Clark’s team completed the construction and enhanced the classroom’s initial design to add stability and accessibility for all students. The outdoor classroom is open to college and community members.
A nonprofit national education association, SkillsUSA serves middle-school, high-school and college/postsecondary students preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations. Northeast State established its SkillsUSA chapter in 2017. Student members have competed at and won numerous awards at state and national SkillsUSA competitions.
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