Eureka High School’s metal shop was recently transformed from an area used for storage to a place for students to gain hands-on experience with industry-standard welding tools.
Students and industrial technology teacher Benjamin Ferrell showed off the new space during an open house on May 7.
The renovated shop has 12 booths with Metal Inert Gas, Tungsten Inert Gas and stick welding capabilities. The booths also have a plasma cutter table, water-jet table, pedestal grinders, jet drill presses, bandsaw and lockers to store protective gear.
Senior Spencer Leassner, who was named the school’s industrial technology student of the year, said the new shop opened at the start of the semester on Jan. 2. The renovation work began in March 2024.
“It’s a wonderful place,” Leassner said. “We have all this new equipment, which makes working so much easier. It’s a beautiful upgrade that you can’t help but appreciate.”
Wright Construction Services Inc. of St. Peters was paid $528,000 for the renovation work. The company submitted the lowest of five bids for the project, according to Rockwood School District Board of Education documents.
The district also paid Facilities Solution Group of Fenton $33,000 to design the renovation project, and it paid approximately $215,000 to purchase equipment, district officials said.
Chris Freund, the district’s director of facilities, said the renovations expanded the welding stations and improved the ventilation system in the shop. He also said there are more electric connections available to allow for future expansion.
From left, Eureka High senior Spencer Leassner, senior Katelyn Milligan and junior Jacob Yallaly cut the ribbon on the new metal shop.
The guests at the open house, which included students, their families, district administrators and teachers, were able to take home a student-made metal Eureka Wildcats logo.
Industrial technology students demonstrated how certain equipment is used for projects.
Leassner showed how a piece of sheet metal is measured. He said the sheet metal would be cut and used to make a toolbox.
At a separate station, Ferrell showed how students learn the basics of welding before stepping into the welding booth with a virtual reality welder. The simulator allows students to practice physical welding motions before working with physical materials. The simulator scores the students’ work.
Expanded metalworking
Ferrell said he sees a lot of student interest in his metals courses, especially due to the new shop. He said the school may increase the number of courses for metalworking for the next school year.
“I hate to do it, but we have to turn away kids every year because I don’t have enough hours in the day,” Ferrell said. “Truthfully, we’ve got enough interested kids, I could be down here (in the metal shop) all day, and I would love it. We’re hopeful that we’ll get there (add more classes).”
Freshman Emmalyn Gaeta said she comes down to the metal shop often to learn from other students and “see what’s up.” She said the shop has a relaxed, easygoing vibe that makes it a fun place to learn and be creative.
“(The new shop) is super exciting,” Gaeta said. “They are always doing some crazy stuff, and I just want to be a part of it. It’s very clean and organized in here, plus everything is brand-new.”
Junior Mira Richardson agreed, complimenting the teachers, coordinators and construction crews for working to renovate the shop.
“It’s pretty cool how everyone came together to make this an area where we can be creative,” she said.