Pattonville High School students interested in engineering, architecture, design, construction and business got a behind the scenes look at the Bridgeton Target remodel on Sept. 15. 

ConstructReach, a construction industry workforce development initiative and consultancy, hosted an “I Built This!” event on Sept. 15 in Bridgeton outside the Target store that is in Week 13 of a 20-week renovation project. 

About 40 Pattonville High School students joined teenagers from neighboring school districts to learn about the construction industry and engage in hands-on activities, including those related to carpentry, fixturing, design and technology, mechanical and plumbing.

On Sept. 20, Pattonville School District began work with parents, students, community members, staff and area leaders to update its strategic plan during its first CSIP (Comprehensive School Improvement Plan) meeting of the year. The updated plan will focus on ensuring all students are successful both in school and beyond and planning for and addressing any critical issues that may arise. Pattonville updates its strategic plan every five years.

Sixth graders in Matt Loyet’s social studies class participated in a treasure hunt. Using specific coordinates and satellite mode on Apple Maps, the students went outside on Tuesday and looked for gold coins that Loyet had hidden around Holman Middle School. 

The class learned about latitude and longitude during a geography unit and Loyet spent about three hours outside putting together the scavenger hunt for his students. 

Loyet hid 10 gold coins for each class and shared the specific coordinates list with the students. Two of the hidden coins had an extra location taped to them leading them to a special prize. 

“I found one of the bonus coins that had another location on it and then we typed those coordinates into our iPad,” Talia Masin said. 

The U.S. Army brought a robotics trailer to Pattonville High School on Tuesday to showcase and demonstrate real-world application of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and robotics capability through personal student interaction. 

Students were able to get hands-on experience with equipment engineered and utilized by the Army. 

“An EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) specialist disables and defeats explosive devices and weapons of mass destruction,” U.S. Army First Sergeant Barrett Hansen said.

Each student had an opportunity to operate the robot, picking up a simulated explosive device and moving it around with the robot’s arm and grapple.