Hands-On Lesson Grabs Students

City crews pulled an assortment of heavy equipment onto O.A. Peters Elementary School’s playground Wednesday for a whole different kind of show and tell.

With a backhoe, motor grader, 10-wheel dump truck and steamroller among the nine pieces of equipment on display, workers explained the machines to the school’s 900 students and demonstrated some of the work done with the equipment.

Amid the spray of water from the graffiti removal equipment and the roar of the steamroller’s engine, students from kindergarten through sixth grade asked crews everything from how much the motor grader weighs to which end is the front.

Peggy Snyder, field services supervisor in the public works department, said that this is the third year Garden Grove has brought its heavy machinery to local schools in an effort to help students understand public works.

“We’re showing how public works fits into the city,” Snyder said. “Police and fire they recognize, and we’re showing how public works fits into the picture. Plus, it’s never too early to provide children with an education about future career goals.”

Certainly first-grader Ulises Cruz has his eye on his future. “I like the one that goes up,” the 6-year-old said of the aerial tree trimmer.

Zack Barrett, senior water production supervisor and chlorine team leader, explained how his crew responds to chlorine leaks and how it treats the water supply. The students took turns trying on protective gear including oxygen masks.

Gary Lewis, Peters’ principal, said the day was a great learning experience for all the children.

“This is active learning that the kids can get involved in. Hands-on learning is the best kind of learning there is,” he said.