Project Based Learning Electives provided by the Berrien Springs Virtual Academy
Woodworking & Woodturning Spring 2025
All students must complete a project for these classes
Contact: Tom Hurst
Email: loonling.lc@gmail.com
Woodworking
Woodworking Iwith Tom & Colleen
St. Joseph Sr. Center
Ages 6 and up, Parent present for students under 10.
Assigned guardians are OK. One parent can represent multiple students.
Day/Time: Section 1, Monday 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Beginning January 13th.
Section 2, Monday 12:45 PM - 2:45 PM, Beginning January 13th.
Location: St Joseph, Lincoln Senior Center, 3271 Lincoln Ave, St. Joseph, MI
This is a project based class. We will make small toys, simple furniture, Wildlife related and kitchen items while learning basic craft skills. Projects will be adjusted to the experience and needs of the group. Open to any skill level. Class may be repeated. Parent participation is required. Class will be held in the St. Joseph/ Lincoln Senior Center Woodshop. The shop is set aside for Homeschool use. All materials are provided. Safety and expectations will be reviewed at the first class. This is a seriously fun class.
Woodworking II with Tom & Colleen
St. Joseph Sr. Center
Ages 9 and up, Parent present for students under 10.
Assigned guardians are OK. One parent can represent multiple students.
Day/Time: Monday 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Beginning January 13th.
Location: St Joseph, Lincoln Senior Center, 3271 Lincoln Ave, St. Joseph, MI
A project based class. The projects will be more of a multi part design, Small furniture, containers, shop fixtures. Wood turnings may be included. Students are expected to show some independence. Projects will be group in nature but open to discussion. Design is a component of the class. Students may be beginners but should have a basic tool sense, be able to read a ruler or tape measure, cut to a line and keep their projects organized. Depending on projects selected there may be a material fee of up to $50.00
Woodturning
Woodturning with Tom
St Joseph Sr Center shop
Ages 10 and up or parent present for younger students.
Day/Time: Tuesday 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM, Beginning January 14th for 8 weeks
Location: St Joseph, Lincoln Senior Center, 3271 Lincoln Ave, St. Joseph, MI
This is an engaging class focused on the art of woodturning, Lathe work. It is a kinetic, enjoyable and creative process. Projects will include turned wooden pens and handled items, small bowls or platters, spatulas, rolling pins, tool handles, mallets, furniture parts, toys and more. This is our most flexible class. Students have a great deal of project choice. Expect to start with simple items and progress to more complex ones. A very good foundation for art oriented students. Class may be repeated as Woodturning.
Each student will have their own wood lathe and set of tools. We will focus on skill building and progress to finished projects.
Advanced Woodworking **counts as two classes**
Advanced Woodworking with Tom
*Counts as 2 classes. During registration you must select 'Advanced Woodworking' in the Vocational Education category AND 'Furniture Design' in the Art category.
Ages 10 and up, with instructor permission.
Day/Time: Wednesday, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Start Date: January 8th for 8 weeks
Minimum 5, Max 6 students, Multiple students from one family encouraged
Location: Architecture Shop at Andrews University
Instructor contact required prior to sign up.
This class is for students that have been in previous classes with Loonling learning woodworking or come with a recommendation. Parents must contact the instructor prior to signing up for the class.
The class will include elements of design, sketching, print reading, cost planning, machine and tool set up for a substantial woodworking project. Likely furniture. This class will be more intense then previous woodworking classes and will require outside of class time for sketching and research. The projects will be determined by the participants with guidance from the instructor. Teams of students from the same household are highly encouraged to allow a larger project for the home. There will be a material fee based on the project selected,
Possible projects; Blanket chests, tables, small dressers, desks, side boards, chairs, benches.
Students can expect to take a major project from concept to completion, including applying finishes. Size of projects may be limited by class enrollment. We do not have space for 5 dining room tables.
Furniture Design
*Component class for Advanced Woodworking. During registration you must select 'Advanced Woodworking' in the Vocational Education category AND 'Furniture Design' in the Art category.
Ages 10 and up with instructor permission
Day/Time: Wednesday, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Start Date: January 8th for 8 weeks
Location: Architecture Shop at Andrews University
Instructor contact required prior to sign up.
This is the required component class for Advanced Woodworking. Students will start with an idea for a furniture project and work through the design process with the instructor. Physical, structural and artistic concepts will be covered to properly plan and construct a usable item of home furniture. Drawing and calculations will be required. We will work from concepts through design, material selection, construction methods and project economics. The instructor is an accomplished woodworker and design instructor eager to guide your student through the process.
*Please note: it is important to make as informed a decision as possible when choosing your student's Community Resource classes. Most locations will allow a student to drop a class after one meeting, at no charge if it wasn't a good fit for the student, but not all. Some classes plan ahead based on the number that have signed up and have purchased materials, hired teachers, etc. and there might be a fee for class time or materials given to the student if the student drops after one or two meetings. The school cannot pay for classes that students do not complete, so choose wisely; if you do not take the class off of your student's schedule by the deadline, you may be asked to pay for the class time incurred prior to dropping the class.
Teacher of Record: Tom Hurst
