CTC Students Team Up for Sweet Success

A group of 5 students pose with a news reporter and the gingerbread log cabin they created.

December 28, 2024

Students from Springfield-Clark CTC's Engineering & Architectural Design and Culinary Arts programs recently joined forces for an innovative project: designing and building gingerbread houses from concept to creation. This multi-week collaboration brought together two unique skill sets to create something extraordinary while fostering teamwork, communication, and hands-on learning across disciplines.

From Blueprints to Baked Masterpiece

The project challenged the teams to: Develop a concept - Students brainstormed and pitched their ideas to each other. Design and model - Using software, Engineering & Architectural Design students created blueprints. Bake and build - Culinary students whipped up gingerbread that was then cut to size. Teams worked on finishing touches like fondant snowmen and isomalt windows.

Building Bridges Between Programs

While the creative gingerbread houses stole the show, the project’s real triumph was bridging two distinct career-tech programs. “This project shows the value of interdisciplinary learning and working with others outside of your expertise, similar to collaborating with clients in a real design firm. Engineering students learn the importance of material constraints, like how to support a heavy gingerbread roof and got a crash course in baking,” shared Eric Barge, instructor for the Engineering & Architectural Design program.

Chef Dave Hay, instructor for the Culinary Arts program, added: “Through this project, culinary students learn about architectural design and engineering principles. The best part is seeing students who wouldn’t normally work together share ideas and learn from each other. All students walked away with a one-of-a-kind experience for their portfolio and improved teamwork, communication, and problem solving skills - valuable skills for life beyond graduation.

The Sweet Finale

On Wednesday, December 18, the 6 teams showcased their creations during lunch, including the blueprints and scale models that brought the concepts to life. A school-wide vote crowned the winner: Cozy Cabin!

Congratulations to the Cozy Cabin Team!

Diego Gonzalez-Ruiz, an Engineering & Architectural Design senior from Tecumseh High School
Jayden Johnson, a Culinary Arts senior from Springfield High School
Emmanuel Martinez Herrera, an Engineering & Architectural Design senior from Tecumseh High School
Averee Trainer, a Culinary Arts senior from Greenon High School
Taleah Travis, a Culinary Arts senior from Springfield High School

Gingerbread House Teams

Santa’s Villa

Michael Thornton, an Engineering & Architectural Design senior from Shawnee High School
Morgan Furnas, an Engineering & Architectural Design senior from Tecumseh High School
Jesse Pollock, a Culinary Arts senior from Northeastern High School
Jordan Williams, a Culinary Arts senior from the Springfield School of Innovation
Kelsi Dapice, a Culinary Arts senior from Greenon High School

“UP” In The Snow

Mathias Conner, an Engineering & Architectural Design senior from Springfield High School
Anthony Malone, an Engineering & Architectural Design senior from Northeastern High School
Caleb Griffin, a Culinary Arts senior from Kenton Ridge High School
Brook Nicodemus, a Culinary Arts senior from Northwestern High School
Brook Fraker, a Culinary Arts senior from Northwestern High School
Kyleigh Fugate, a Culinary Arts senior from Springfield High School

Gingerbread Cottage

Dakota Moore, an Engineering & Architectural Design senior from Shawnee High School
Marcell Pettyjohn, an Engineering & Architectural Design senior from Tecumseh High School
Andre Wills, a Culinary Arts senior from Springfield High School
Kylee Schofield, a Culinary Arts senior from Buckeye Community School

Cozy Cabin

Diego Gonzalez-Ruiz, an Engineering & Architectural Design senior from Tecumseh High School
Jayden Johnson, a Culinary Arts senior from Springfield High School
Emmanuel Martinez Herrera, an Engineering & Architectural Design senior from Tecumseh High School
Averee Trainer, a Culinary Arts senior from Greenon High School
Taleah Travis, a Culinary Arts senior from Springfield High School

Frosted Fables

Tyler Wells, an Engineering & Architectural Design senior from Shawnee High School
Andrew McCurdy, an Engineering & Architectural Design senior from Global Impact STEM Academy
Bryson Dabney, an Engineering & Architectural Design senior from Catholic Central High School
Joaquin Madison, a Culinary Arts senior from the Springfield School of Innovation
Chance Lewis, a Culinary Arts senior from Northwestern High School

The G-Mansion

Gideon Jackson, an Engineering & Architectural Design senior from Shawnee High School
Logan Harmeling, an Engineering & Architectural Design senior from Catholic Central High School
Gracee Evans, a Culinary Arts senior from Shawnee High School
Jonah Lauffenburger, a Culinary Arts senior from Kenton Ridge High School
Hayden Carter, a Culinary Arts senior from Southeastern High School

As Seen on TV!

📺 The project gained media attention and was recently featured on ABC 22 and FOX 45. Click here to watch the segment and see our talented students in action!