The Agricultural Mechanics program at Newton College and Career Academy (NCCA) has launched a hands‑on, community‑focused metalworking initiative with support from an NEF Teacher Innovation Grant. The project, Metalworks for the Community: Empowering Students and Supporting Local Initiatives, has engaged students in grades 10–12 in designing and fabricating custom metal pieces that directly benefit local organizations and events.
Agricultural Mechanics teacher Andrew Pollard describes the effort as deeply collaborative, noting that students work alongside the school’s engineering and construction departments to bring each project from concept to completion.
The NEF grant supported the purchase of materials from local businesses, including welding supplies, plasma‑cutting consumables, safety equipment, and more. Using these tools and materials, students are gaining experience in CAD design, plasma cutting, welding, and finishing techniques. The project’s impact extends beyond the classroom: many of the completed pieces are donated to community partners and fundraising events. For example, in November, students delivered ornaments to a Rivian event and to Berry’s Tree Farm.
Thanks to the NEF grant, our students are transforming donated metal into fire pits, ornaments, and community event pieces using AutoCAD and our plasma table. This project not only builds real-world skills but also reinvests funds back into the Ag Mechanics program and our community. We are turning the classroom into a learning environment that impacts our community.
—Andrew Pollard
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