Project Information

(a message from our teacher, Michael Eason)

This project is similar to one being done by Michael Hathorn's history students in Hartford, Vermont. In fact, Google arranged for Hathorn to come to Stratford and talk to my students about the project. He spent two days of his spring vacation showing us the basics of Google SketchUp and discussing how his students approach their project.

Hathorn was accompanied by Googler Allyson McDuffie. Hathorn and McDuffie worked with my Web Page 1 and 2 students (49 students total). Several of the Web Page 1 students will be continuing this project next year when they take Web Page 2. The training provided by Hathorn and McDuffie was invaluable to our efforts. I thank them and Google for their assistance.

Thanks is also due Stratford's principal, Conrad Lopes. He has been very supportive of our efforts to provide interesting and relevant activities in our technology and computer science courses. And from our district office, I thank Ken Verburg, director of Career and Technology Education, for his very special support.

As the students have worked on this project, we have realized that education has been a priority in Moncks Corner and Berkeley County for quite some time. Some of our historically significant builidngs are education related (ex. the Guilds House, the Old Berkeley High School, Cherry Hill Community Center). It is appropriate that this project highlights the educational history of this area as we strive to prepare our students for the future. This project is a perfect example of the benefits available to our students when industry and education work together.

We were asked how we are selecting buildings for 3D modeling, especially the ones not within the town limits. Basically, we are focusing on old buildings within Moncks Corner, but we are also including buildings in the surrounding area that are historically significant, fit our educational history focus, and will make interesting projects in Google SketchUp.

We also thank the following people for their support and assistance:

Ed and Annegell McCants, Moncks Corner residents, for providing historical information and other assistance, and helping us to see the significance of education in the history of Moncks Corner

Layne West, Moncks Corner Town Planner, for his guidance, inspiration, and patience

And last, but certainly not least, I thank the students for their willingness to take on this project.