A new wave of innovation and creativity struck Gorham Middle School as five enthusiastic 7th graders successfully completed a hands-on STEAM Guitar Build project. Piloted by technology integrator, Terri Dawson and generously funded in part by Aspire Gorham, and the Perloff Family Foundation, this initiative has turned budding scientists into rockstars. The project was originally created by Keith Kelley from Nokomis Middle School. Keith reached out to other educators around the State for a Teach the Teacher model consisting of three face to face meetings in which he demonstrated different techniques of guitar building and also provided STEAM lesson plans to use throughout the entire process.

The students, Ezekiel Provencal, Nathan Perry, Carter Bourgoin, Ellis Scott, and Jameson LaChance, embarked on a journey that combined science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) with the art of music. Over the course of several weeks, these young builders cut, sanded, painted, and electronically assembled their custom guitars. The project aimed not only to teach practical skills but also to inspire a passion for STEAM subjects by blending them with the universal appeal of music.

Terri Dawson expressed her excitement about the students’ progress.” Seeing their faces light up as they worked through each step was incredibly rewarding,” Dawson said. “This project is a perfect example of how we can engage students with hands-on learning experiences that are both educational and enjoyable.” When this project began, Michael McCarthy, a 7th grade science teacher joined the effort. He assisted with the cutting and sanding and Dan Dupuis from the GMS Maintenance department also helped with the use of his shop and power tools.

The assembly stage proved to be the most challenging but rewarding part of the project. The students meticulously connected the electronics, ensuring each wire and screw was in the right place. Despite a few tricky moments, the team’s perseverance paid off. Finally, the guitars were strung, and the moment of truth arrived.

With bated breath, one by one the students plugged their handmade instruments into an amplifier. The room erupted as the first notes rang out, confirming that their hard work had paid off. “Smiles for miles,” was how Terri Dawson described the moment when they realized their guitars worked as intended.

Aspire Gorham, an organization dedicated to supporting educational initiatives, provided essential funding for this project. Their support has been instrumental in bringing innovative projects like this to life in Gorham, fostering a new generation of thinkers and creators.

The success of the STEAM Guitar Build project highlights the importance of hands-on, interdisciplinary learning. It demonstrates how engaging students in practical projects can ignite interest in STEAM fields and equip them with valuable skills for the future. As for the young guitar builders, their journey doesn’t end here; they’ve discovered a newfound confidence and a reminder that with a little creativity and a lot of determination, they can achieve anything.

Following the success of the Guitar project, Heather Whitaker, the Alternative Education teacher at GMS, contacted Jeff Cole, a local woodworker who crafts guitar stands as aside hobby. Jeff generously donated a beautifully designed wooden stand made up of different types of wood for each student, allowing them to proudly display their new custom guitars. A big thanks to Heather and Jeff Cole for their generosity and thoughtfulness.

View the project: https://bit.ly/GuitarBuild