72°F
weather icon Windy

Musical inspiration: Guitar building program teaches STEM principles

Updated June 29, 2018 - 10:15 am

STEM Guitar held a summer class recently for teachers from across the country so they could learn about the program and bring it to their students.

After debuting the class a year ago, Boulder City High School is joining the National Science Foundation program this year, which incorporates science, technology, engineering and math while students create electric guitars.

Teacher Joshua Fisher, who introduced the program to BCHS, arranged for teachers to attend the workshop, build their own guitars and experience the class firsthand. Educators from Washington to Pennsylvania, with more than 200 years of teaching experience combined, gathered in the auto shop to learn about making the musical instruments during the weeklong session.

“It reinvigorates the teachers,” said Steve Brown, a professor of industrial technology at the College of the Redwoods in California who taught the class. “It’s something new for the students and the school.”

Students start the project with bare wood and do all the sanding and electrical work with making the frets and placing the strings to complete the guitar. As the guitars are built, students complete 12 core STEM activities.

The institute in Boulder City is one of eight being taught this summer across the country.

Students and teachers alike come to participate, and this session included two Eagles who will help Fisher when he teaches the course on campus next year.

“I was getting so much out of it,” Fisher said. “I thought, Boulder City needs this.”

Sophomore Jake Trone said he planned to teach himself how to play on his handmade, personalized guitar, and sophomore Bret Stewart gave his guitar to his dad on Father’s Day.

Contact reporter Jayme Sileo at jsileo@bouldercityreview.com.

MOST READ
THE LATEST
Reframing language in mental health

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of.

A busy day at Mitchell Elementary

Thursday, April 17, 2025 was an especially magical day at Mitchell Elementary.

Annual Junior Ranger Day goes off as a hit

Junior Ranger Day is all about “inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards and connecting our community with Lake Mead in a fun, hands-on way,” Park Ranger Max Dotson said.

New tradition starts at King Elementary

Nearly a decade ago, a longstanding tradition at King Elementary came to an end.

Where passion meets performance

BCHS has many performing and fine art programs to meet the needs of our very talented youth in Boulder City.

All that jazz

Saturday, the Las Vegas Jazz Society and Boulder City Friends of the Library hosted an afternoon of jazz music in the library’s amphitheater. More than 100 people turned out for the free concert.

Mitchell proud to be Leader In Me Lighthouse School

It is so great to see our students back in school this week after spring break. As we head into this last quarter of the school year, it is an important time to reflect on the year as we begin planning for next year.

What is occupational therapy?

Occupational therapists ask, “What matters to you?” instead of “What’s the matter with you?”

All Aboard!

This past weekend, the Boulder City Parks and Recreation gym played host to the Spring Model Train Show. There, hobby enthusiasts bought, sold and displayed their trains.