If you’ve ever driven by Boothbay Region High School (BRHS), you may have noticed the annual appearance of a wooden lighthouse on the lawn. It's the campaign sign for Boothbay Region Student Aid Fund (BRSAF), which is celebrating 60 years of financially supporting post-high school education for BRHS alumni. However, it's out with the old and in with the new, thanks to a refresh from STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) class students, led by Chris Liberti and Chip Schwehm.  

“People are going to see ... the work behind (the new sign), and hopefully see that it took time, it took effort, and we did it as a class. It wasn't just one person,” said student Spencer Wood. 

The collaboration was the brainchild of BRSAF board member Leigh Sherrill: The campaign would receive a new, refreshed sign, and students would get a chance to work with a real-life client. According to fellow board members Hildly Johnson and Sarah Baldwin, BRSAF’s only requirements were that the sign had numbers to track money raised and that it was easier to handle height and weight-wise. The students ran with it from there. Features of the new sign include LED lighting strips and a lobster-shaped tally marker. 

“I think the kids have really appreciated getting feedback from somebody that wasn't a teacher, (it) seems more authentic in that way,” said Liberti. "Knowing that they must deliver a finished product has also kept students motivated throughout the process, when usually they would be disillusioned with such a long-term project. 

“This (class has) really focused heavily on the iteration and the prototype and the redesign. In past years, we focused on just exposing students to as many things as we can,” he said.  

Schwehm also highlighted the benefit of designs going beyond the theoretical; not only do students experience the mental and physical labor of overcoming engineering challenges, they become better designers. “(Until you) go through that real process, the engineer doesn't really know what's involved with things he's asking other people to make.”  

The last few months have been a series of trials and errors. Liberti said it’s been an interesting experience, as, unlike typical lessons, the teachers don’t have definitive answers and are learning alongside the kids what the best methods are.  

Figuring out the lettering alone went through several design phases. Laser cutting and gluing letters was too time-consuming, and wood burning them just didn’t pop, so the class landed on the CNC router, a machine that converts computer-based designs to engravings.  

“Typically, you're just laser engraving on a key chain (in this class). We took a pretty big step up in making this sign,” said student Harry Hinckley. 

Wood added, “There was challenge to it. You got to learn new things. You had to do stuff you didn't feel comfortable with. It was definitely an experience, for sure.” 

Beyond the beneficial learning factors, BRSAF members felt it was fitting for students to craft a new sign, because students benefit from the fund. The fund is available to anyone looking to further their education, whether it is college, trade programs or grad school, for up to six years of assistance. It is open to all BRHS alumni, not just recent graduates. Last year, BRSAF raised over $570,000. It hopes to raise $275,000 this year.  

To donate, visit www.brsaf.org