A few years ago, Platt Tech Carpentry students showed their school spirit by spending a long and difficult year building a Nature Center in the wetlands in the back of the school. Science instructors took their students to the center to study the wildlife first hand. Unfortunateley, ast year, vandals damaged a major part of the center.

Platt Tech students are now showing their spirit and determination by rebuilding the damaged parts so the Nature Center can once again be used by the school and community. Through a grant of $10,000 by Lowe's USA, Platt Tech Carpentry Sophomores under the direction of instructor David Farrell are repairing the damage done. Farrell said it is great opportunity for his new Carpentry students. "They get to plan, measure, use hand and power tools and get to see a finished product that they can be proud of," said Farrell.

In the revitalization effort, the Electrical department will also pitch in. Under the direction of Department Head Chet Cebulski, Electrical students are digging a 160 foot long tench where they will lay a cable to connect a series of lights to be installed throughout the Nature Center. To stop the vandalism from occurring again, they will also install security cameras on top of the lights.

Principal Gene LaPorta said that this project is just another example of the "Can Do" attitude at Platt Tech. He stressed that the Learn by Doing approach makes such projects possible. "Without students providing the labor, this would cost over a $100,000 to do," said LaPorta.