Belle Fourche students dig into real-world experience

On Thursday, March 26th the Belle Fourche High School Heavy Equipment Operation (HEO) second semester students were able to showcase their heavy equipment operation skills on an actual worksite. Our industry partnerships with local companies Site Works Specialist and Scull Construction Service provided the opportunity for our second annual worksite field day.

Students enrolled in the HEO class work through industry theory and machinery operation in a controlled environment, operating equipment simulators in the classroom. Equipment highlighted in the class includes an excavator, forklift, skid steer, wheel loader, and bulldozer. Students advance through the course work based on industry standard performance indicators. These advancements are then demonstrated by their proficient use of the actual equipment. Belle Fourche High School educator Jim Hartwell explains, “This is an integrated part of the course curriculum. Hands-on experiences, like these, allow our students opportunity to take classroom fundamental skills and put them to action.”

Steven Uttecht, a Senior Site Superintendent for Scull Construction Service states: “Scull Construction and Site Works Specialists appreciate the opportunity to spend time with the area students. The time we get to spend with the future young minds of our industries through the strategic partnership with the Belle Fourche School District and their CTE program is invaluable to us. Community investment is one of the cornerstones of our companies and we look forward to these opportunities to give back and possibly create some interest in construction with the students along the way. “

The Belle Fourche School District Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, remain committed to embedding real-world experiences into its curriculum—closing the gap between classroom learning and industry, one piece of heavy equipment at a time.

–Belle Fourche FFA