What would you say if I told you that a few pieces of wood could teach you patience, precision, and creativity all at once? This is exactly what makes the woodwork 360 one of the most rewarding programs I have ever taken. What started as a course I first tried back in Grade 8 has grown into something that does more than just teach practical woodworking skills. I truly enjoy the process of transforming a piece of wood into a functional, high-quality product. Beyond the wood shop, the class has strengthened my planning, precision, and patience, which are abilities that can extend to many areas of life.

 

One of my favourite projects was an end-grain cutting board I finished around two months ago. It looks simple at first glance, but the project demanded total precision throughout the entire process. Multiple glue-ups and rounds of sanding were necessary steps to achieve that polished and smooth look. Learning from previous projects where I made small mistakes, I made sure to pause regularly and double-check my measurements. This ensured that each piece fit correctly and the overall patterns stayed aligned. When the board was finally done, the design came together exactly as I had imagined. That smooth surface made every minute of careful work worth it.

 

From the initial measuring and cutting to the final sanding and assembly, I have produced several cutting boards and even created laser-engraved wooden posters, which are now proudly displayed in my dorm. Most importantly, I also enjoy collaborating with my classmates, sharing ideas, and helping students who might be new to the woodshop. The shop environment encourages both teamwork and individual creativity. Looking back, I can see how much my confidence and skill in the workshop have grown. Woodwork 360 has taught me practical techniques and the importance of persistence. These are lessons that stay with me far beyond the woodshop walls.

 

 

 

I love the 360 clayworks program because it allows me to express my emotions in a physical object. We are allowed to create anything we want and learn new techniques to improve our work. The environment is very supportive, and it is extremely rewarding to display your final product.

 

One special memory I have is when Ms. Harvey allowed me and my friends to go outside and look into the kiln. It was so cool to learn about how pottery gets fired and the extreme temperatures that the clay has to go through. I learned a lot about the medium I work with and how it turns into a final product.

 

In clayworks you can make anything you want, from a cup to a sculpture, utilising different techniques such as coiling, hand building, and even the wheel. It is so diverse and requires a lot of patience to succeed. 

 

This 360 creates a time where I can just relax and focus on my hobby, having a break from a busy day. I joined clayworks because I wanted to create something useful that could help me in daily life. Joining clayworks has helped me stay calm and productive, while still being able to learn a new skill. You should join because you will be able to learn a fun new skill, make new friends, and be creative.

 

 

 

I enjoy the robotics 360 because I was in a team that was competing for VEX 5 tournaments. It consisted of Zac the engineer, Brenden the coder, Oscar the driver, and me, the journal-keeper. We made a robot that would bring a ball from the ground to the top, which would then be used to score a basket. 

 

A specific memory that I recall was my second robotics tournament. Our driver, Oscar, wasn’t there, and I was in charge of operating the robot. It was hard at first, but I slowly got the hang of it. It was fun to drive the robot around and score points on the opposing team. Sometimes, there would be a robot trying to ram us when I was trying to score, and that was annoying. Overall, that tournament was incredibly fun and worthwhile.

 

After each competition day, I would take the time at the end to take a picture, tape it on the journal, and then write what we did that day and what we wanted to accomplish in the following days.

 

Someone might be interested in joining robotics because we build robots and compete in tournaments, but it is also an opportunity to work as a team, and a great way to meet new people. Robotics would also improve a person's understanding of engineering if they are pursuing that career path. In addition, there are awards for winning the competition or keeping a good journal, they win awards. If they win the regional tournament, that qualifies them to go to worlds in Texas.

 

Oh, and during Term 3 robotics, we fly drones, which is pretty fun.