Update at 3 p.m. Once the mechanic arrived, the problem with the faulty outriggers was corrected and the move of the house from the ETHS campus to 1820 Dodge Ave. was quickly executed.
Faulty outriggers that stabilize the crane that was supposed to lift the top of a two-story house onto the lower level forced a delay Tuesday in plans to move a student-built house from the Evanston Township High School campus to its permanent home about two blocks north.
Portions of Lake Street and Dodge Avenue were blocked from traffic to enable the two pieces to be moved quickly from the ETHS campus to the foundation already in place at 1820 Dodge Ave.
The move was supposed to begin at 9 a.m.
The stabilizing outriggers of the crane that forced the delay.
But when workers tried to lower the feet of the stabilizing outriggers on the crane, the equipment froze up and a crane mechanic was summoned to make necessary repairs.
Until the crane is ready, workmen said, the move will not occur, as the result would be a long-time blockage of busy Dodge Avenue.
So the carefully-planned move came to a halt shortly before 10 a.m.
The foundation that awaits the house at 820 Dodge Ave.
On the positive side, the delay is just another learning experience for the 57 students enrolled in the school’s Geometry in Construction course, an innovative program designed to teach mathematics principles by demonstrating its use in practice.
The course is so popular, according to Matthew Kaiser, the faculty member in charge, that after the first two years attracted 57 students each, there is a waiting list for the new year of some 100 students.
Another course, offered in the same vein, is titled Algebra in Entrepreneurship. It is designed to help budding entrepreneurs master the mathematical principles involved in starting and running a new business.
ETHS takes pride in preparing all students for college or career. While top math students go on to take Advanced Placement courses to prepare them for top colleges, these practical-oriented courses are designed to be of help to students who are not necessarily planning to go on to college.
General contractor Todd Kihm said he was impressed with the dedication of the students taking the Geometry in Construction course and that he expects to see many of them in the trade after graduation from ETHS.
Watching the preparation for the move Tuesday morning was math department chair Dale Leibforth, who was instrumental in the design and implementation of the program.
ETHS House Move
I would like to follow up this article by saying that the students in Geometry In Construction are the same students that go on to our Advanced Placement courses. Geometry in Construction has all the rigor our regular and honors geometry courses have at the high school. The unique aspect of this program is the valuable experience in life skills.