Some MacArthur Middle School students have a better understanding of the phrase “everything but the kitchen sink” after they learned exactly what is under the sink.
The students learning all about sinks were those in the new home improvements class taught by Emake Ugiomoh and were practicing their plumbing skills by trying to correctly attach the pipes.
The table holding the sink was a project in itself. Students had quickly built a table to hold the sink, but the legs were uneven, so Ugiomoh had students take the table apart and start over. It was a good excuse for the students to practice their drilling skills.
Once the table was put back together, it was time to get on with the plumbing lesson. Ugiomoh drew a diagram of how pipes are connected under a sink and told students to copy the diagram so they would know what to do when it was their turn to attach the pipes. After a quick lesson on why a U-shaped pipe is under the sink — Ugiomoh demonstrated the nature of physics and running water — students took turns getting under the sink, diagrams in hand, to attach the pipes. The activity was a little harder than students anticipated.
First to try was Jesara Locklin, 14, eighth grade, who found it more difficult than anticipated to get in the right position under the sink in order to attach the pipes. She ended up sitting cross-legged under the table as Ugiomoh explained that is not a luxury most plumbers have.
“It is one of the more challenging home projects one can do because it’s not comfortable to execute. You usually don’t get to sit under the sink,” he said.
The next challenge was getting the locknut on straight. After several attempts, Locklin mastered that technique and then attached the rest of the pipes.
Locklin, who took an automotive class with Ugiomoh last year, said her mother suggested she take the home maintenance class. She said she has learned how to use a drill, how to sand, how a sink works, the anatomy of a toilet, and tool safety. Her favorite part has been using the drill, because “I’m in control,” she said.
Although Locklin wants to be a pediatrician, she realizes how the class can be beneficial.
“Maybe one day when I buy a future house, I will remember stuff from this class, like putting in pipes and in what order and how to do it,” Locklin said. “This is always something to fall back on.”
Annaleigh Barrois, 12, seventh grade, also sees the benefits.
“I feel like it will help me if I don’t get married,” she said. Using the drill also has been her favorite activity so far, saying, “You just drill holes and it is easy.”
Barrois, who wants to be a business owner when she grows up, said she would like “to build a bed or something” with the skills she is learning.
Her biggest challenge so far has been plumbing the sink.
“It was kinda hard, so I had to get some help,” she said.
Benjamin Keemer, 12, seventh grade, who wants to be a zoologist, said he took the class because he needed an elective and “this sounded interesting so I took it.” He said he had learned how to fix the sink and how to use many of the tools, which had been a challenge.
“I’m learning the basic stuff I will need to use in real life,” Keemer said. “When I have a house and something goes wrong, I will need to fix that. If I didn’t, I would need to call a plumber or electrician and that would cost a lot of money.”
His advice to other students?
“You’re going to need to know this stuff when you grow up, so why not take the class,” he said.
Students also will work on basic skills such as carpentry, plumbing, painting, how to hang drywall, electrical fixtures and appliances, hot water heaters, how appliances work, HVAC and air filters, vents, concrete, masonry, fencing and other outdoor projects. The program is designed to supplement basic knowledge of students going into trades classes, said Ugiomoh, who collaborated with the Life Ready Center on what basic skills students need to know before they take trades classes there.
“The very first thing they said was to teach them to measure,” Ugiomoh said.
In addition to giving students a good blend of careers, they also are learning something about themselves.
“Once they embrace ‘Hey, I think I can do this’ it is about getting their confidence level up. That confidence will blend into other areas of home maintenance,” Ugiomoh said.