Science teacher trying to ‘spark interest’ with hands-on learning
Published 2:38 pm Tuesday, December 9, 2025
An Obsidian Middle School science teacher was awarded a $15,000 grant this week that will go toward buying new tools for the shop class he started this fall.
During an impromptu assembly Dec. 8, SELCO Community Credit Union surprised Dan Grubb with a $15,000 grant that will be used to upgrade the school’s new introduction to career and technical education (CTE) class.
Grubb, a seventh grade science teacher at Obsidian, said he applied for the grant in September after talking for years with Evan Grant, Obsidian Middle School principal, about starting a trade program. Eventually, Grant said they would just do one class to get it started.
The class currently operates out of a makeshift shop in the school’s weight room and had woodworking and cooking units this fall. The class had 15 students. Grubb said he expects to have 15 to 20 students in his winter trimester class and hopes to have 30 students in the spring class.
The grant was awarded through SELCO’s Classroom Makeover program, part of its Steps Up initiative that was launched in 2024, according to a press release. Three teachers across the state received $15,000 grants to transform their classrooms.
Grubb said the class is more of a selective rather than an elective, in that Grant and the school’s vice principal pick out students who are struggling in a sixth period physical education class and could benefit from a hands-on learning experience.
“I’m trying to really find different ways to connect these kids to the trades,” Grubb said. “And maybe spark an interest that this is a viable path for them.”
Cora McHattie, an eighth grader who took Intro to CTE this fall, made a birdhouse and bat box in Grubb’s class. She said she was excited for future students to get to indulge in the program’s hands-on element.
“I feel like a lot of things don’t get taught in school until way late in life about what college and careers [students] can go into,” McHattie said. “I feel like it will branch out new opportunities for employment.”
The birdhouse unit was in collaboration with Think Wild, a wildlife rescue organization in Bend, Grubb said. A Think Wild representative provided Grubb with building plans of what the organization refers to as a “flicker nest box” and the class figured out how to build them together. The representative also came to the class to present on its impact and share where the students boxes would be placed.
Grubb said he would like to make more connections with the community. Those could look like project ideas for kids, learning opportunities — like a facility tour — and connections to tools or a wood supply.
“Because I really want each of my projects to have a connection to our community as well,” he said.
While he has no professional trade experience, Grubb is a jack of all trades. Living on a three acre farm, Grubb said he does all the carpentry, electrical and plumbing work.
With the money, Grubb said he hopes to get some electrical and plumbing equipment so he can teach introductory lessons for each vocation.
McHattie said the class was also a great way to make friends. She met a friend from a different grade through the class.
“It was really nice to get to know people that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to before,” McHattie said.
Tualatin High School and the Waldorf School in Eugene were the other schools selected for a grant from a public online vote of nine finalists statewide.
At Tualatin High School, the money will go toward turning an underutilized computer lab into a digital media arts center. The Waldorf School will use it to renovate its Great Hall Theater, funding new curtains, valances, stage repairs and paint for the school’s elementary and middle school performers.