While at first glance jewelry-making and construction technology may appear to have little in common, two creative instructors at the UNM-Gallup campus found a way to bring their departments together to improve the work environment for one group while providing valuable educational experience to the other.
Kristi Wilson, Visiting Assistant Professor and Instructor of Small Metals Construction, received an internal mini-grant to fund the design and construction of new jewelers benches for her students.
Chris Chavez, Instructor and Coordinator of Construction Technology, was happy to have his students construct the new ergonomically correct island workstations which gave them practical know-how in their field of study.
Wilson requested the help of Chavez to modify the existing work stations in the Small Metals Construction Lab by constructing a new table top with open drawers to provide a more comfortable and convenient table height for students as they learn sawing and piercing skills. According to Wilson, “Being able to achieve the recommended posture will allow students to have less stress on their neck and backs while working. All future students taking Small Metals Construction will benefit from this addition.”
The additional storage provided as a result of the construction project will also allow for a larger and safer space for students to apply their newly learned skills in small metals and jewelry-making.
The efficiency of the design will also increase class size capacity allowing for more students to enroll. Chavez’s students completed and unveiled the new work stations on Tuesday, May 10 in the Small Metals Construction Lab.
By Marilee Petranovich
UNM-Gallup