June 2, 2025 (Johnstown, ON) – Students in Grades 4 and 5 at South Edwardsburg Public School rolled up their sleeves recently and dove into hands-on learning with a visit from the Mobile Training Lab, a travelling classroom designed to introduce young learners to the skilled trades.
The lab, operated by St. Lawrence College (SLC), is packed with tools and materials that bring design and construction to life for students. With guidance from expert instructors, students at South Edwardsburg designed and built wooden benches and agility ramps for dogs. The project not only taught them practical building skills but also gave them the opportunity to contribute to their community. The agility ramps are being donated to the local dog park, a great addition that both pets and their owners will enjoy for years to come.
“It's really fun because you get to do a lot of teamwork and communication with other people,” said Grade 5 student Emmett Carew. “You get to do hands on work and think about tools you would use if you wanted to be a carpenter when you grow up.”
“It's a really fun opportunity,” added fellow Grade 5 student Christine Hernandez. “And now the dogs will have a lot more fun at the park!”
What were some of the more popular tasks involved in the project? “I like putting the pieces together and screwing them in,” said Hernandez. “It was really fun doing that part.”
“I like sanding cause when it's done, you get to feel how soft the wood is,” added Carew.
The Mobile Training Lab started visiting UCDSB in May and will continue into June, working with13 schools across the UCDSB by the end of the month. Projects at other schools include accessible benches, garden boxes, picnic tables, and market stands, each designed to encourage creativity, collaboration, and a deeper understanding of skilled trades.
Mobile Training Lab Instructors Leanne Rhem and Julie Hildebrand have seen firsthand just how impactful this type of learning can be.
“It's a really good example for them of what it could be like to go into the trades,” said Hildebrand. “Kids that might struggle with the academic side of school have an opportunity to come and do something super hands on. When it starts to click for them and they're passionate about it, it's really exciting.”
“When the kids realize that they can do it and you see them being able to work together - it's more than just learning how to use the tools, it’s talking to each other and working through the plan,” added Rhem. “It's awesome to see.”
During the construction process, students were proud to showcase their work to community leaders from the Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal, including Chief Operating Administrator (COA) Sean Nicholson, Recreation Manager Mike Spencer, and deputy mayor Stephan Dillabough, who stopped by to see the student-built projects and thank them for helping to improve their community.
The partnership with SLC aligns with the UCDSB’s commitment to Real-World Learning, an educational approach that connects classroom instruction with real-life applications. Real-World Learning encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and the development of practical skills through activities, project-based learning, and strong community partnerships.
The SLC Mobile Training Lab will continue its tour through UCDSB schools into June, with upcoming stops at Arklan Community Public School in Carleton Place, Maple Grove Public School in Lanark, The Queen Elizabeth School and The Stewart School in Perth, and Pineview Public School in Athens.