Where Wood Becomes Art and Opportunity

Industrial arts program blends craftsmanship with construction career exploration
By Jeanene Dunn

In a Bonner Springs High School woodshop filled with the hum of saws and the scent of fresh-cut lumber, projects take shape alongside confidence and career direction. Within the school’s industrial arts program, students aren’t simply completing assignments; they’re creating heirloom furniture, full-scale playhouses and, in many cases, their own paths into the skilled trades.

Some pieces reflect personal stories; others showcase striking design and craftsmanship. Creations range from finely finished furniture and custom bedroom pieces to artful, one-of-a-kind builds that blend form and function.

For industrial arts instructor Ryan Mellick, the program’s evolution began with a simple idea he had: to create a furniture show that celebrates craftsmanship. Mellick reached out to KCHBA. Through collaboration with KCHBA, that effort grew into a regional workforce development initiative linking schools, contractors and industry partners across multiple states.

Today, the signature playhouse project anchors the curriculum, combining carpentry, electrical, plumbing and finishing into one immersive experience.

“Students aren’t just building a structure,” Mellick said. “They’re learning every system that goes into it and taking pride in something that will last.”

From Furniture Show to Full-Scale Builds

As the program expanded, projects grew in scale and complexity. Furniture pieces led naturally to playhouses designed to endure for decades, as well as decorative and artistic furniture that highlights joinery, shaping and finish work. Along the way, students gain experience with materials common to both construction and fine woodworking:

• Structural lumber and framing materials
• Hardwoods and furniture-grade plywood
• Fasteners and finishing supplies

Many completed pieces are displayed publicly or sold to benefit charitable causes. Participation in KCHBA events, including the annual Parade of Playhouses, gives Mellick’s students a visible platform to share their work with the community.

“The KCHBA Charitable Foundation grant funding allows us to play in the Parade of Playhouses, which gives my students a chance to show their skills to the community,” Mellick said. “It allows us to do things we could only dream of doing.”

Expanding Opportunity Through Partnership

Strong industry relationships, including a longstanding collaboration with KCHBA have supported that growth. Funding from the KCHBA’s Home Builders Charitable Foundation helps offset material and equipment costs in a program with limited school support.

“The school gives the shop about $1,800 a year to run class,” Mellick said. “That’s roughly $24 per student. The funds would go fast if I bill the students for every nail or ounce of finish. The grant helps purchase materials, tools and parts to maintain equipment, for student use.”

As material costs rise, the support ensures participation remains accessible to all of his students.

Learning Measured by Growth

Inside the shop, progress is measured less by tests and more by growth. Beginners move from identifying basic wall components to guiding peers through construction steps, building skill and confidence along the way.

The process starts intentionally small. “We begin with jewelry boxes built from scraps,” Mellick said. “They see they can turn something unwanted into something wanted.”

Creativity expands from there. Students who enjoy drawing can scan designs and program the CNC machine to cut them into wood, transforming ideas on paper into tangible objects.

“It’s amazing to see what each student comes up with,” he said.

Impact That Lasts

The true measure of success often appears years later. One evening, while parking his 1948 Studebaker pickup at a grocery store, Mellick was approached by a young woman who recognized him as her husband’s former teacher. She knew about the truck from the stories her husband told her.

“She told me how thankful she was,” Mellick said. “She said the skills her husband learned in my class saved them thousands in home repairs.”

When the husband joined by phone, he immediately recognized Mellick’s voice.

“He thanked me for taking the time to work with him,” Mellick said. “We never know the impact we have.”

Pathways to the Trades

Former students returning to share career updates are the clearest sign of impact.

“Kids who come back and say they’re pursuing trades because of shop class—that’s what matters,” Mellick said. “Every student has their own story.”

As interest in skilled trades careers rises nationwide, Mellick sees industrial arts education as increasingly vital. Small class sizes support safety and individualized instruction, allowing students to develop technical ability alongside teamwork, leadership and problem-solving confidence.

For Mellick, the reward is watching his students recognize what they can accomplish with their own hands.

“They start with a board,” he said, “and realize what they’re capable of building.”