Pictured: Joseph Moslander of Granite City works on running a new branch circuit that will be used to eventually power a jet formerly owned by Howard Hughes.

Southwestern Illinois College students and instructors from the Industrial Electrician program volunteered to help complete some much-needed electrical work at the Greater St. Louis Air and Space Museum in Cahokia, recently.     

The students from the Electrical Wiring Principles class, led by SWIC Instructor Brad Clarkson, installed a branch circuit to the museum display jet, formerly owned by Howard Hughes; installed a new display case; repaired and changed existing bulbs and case lights; and restored power to the stairway lights and to emergency floodlights. The museum President Mark Nankivil was so impressed with the students work, he sent several personal thank you emails to the SWIC leadership team.

“This field trip benefited everyone involved and the entire class displayed professionalism, enthusiasm and craftmanship.” said Clarkson. “ Students were broken up into groups and were given an issue to solve, while being supervised. Little to no prior troubleshooting was done and once the issue was found, a discussion followed to determine the most cost-effective way to solve the issue and bring it up to National Electrical Code.”

Other electrical work included: re-running wires for branch circuits; replacing the light at the building entrance and running a new branch circuit that will be used to eventually power the Boeing 707 simulator and other displays.

 The students provided their own tools and the museum purchased the parts needed. If other field trips are approved, future electrical classes may seek out additional ways to help the museum or other non-profits within the community says Clarkson.

To learn more about SWIC Electrical and Electronics Technical Degrees, visit swic.edu/electrical.