Austin ISD celebrated the groundbreaking for a new construction technology facility at Crocket High School on Oct. 13.[/caption]

Crockett High School students, staff and Austin ISD administrators celebrated the Oct. 13 ground breaking for a new construction technology building in Southwest Austin.

The $2 million, 9,000 square-foot facility will feature a shop area, two classrooms and covered outdoor areas for students specializing in the construction industry.

"Thanks to the taxpayers of Austin, through a [2013] bond, we are able to provide students real-life, real-world experiences in high school," Crockett Principal Craig Shapiro said.

Shapiro added that it is important for the Greater Austin area to have hands-on experience because students no longer like to sit for seven hours a day in class.

"Students who apply their knowledge through project-based work do much better on standardized tests, tend to go to college [and] tend to be more successful," Shapiro said.

Duane Lardon, Crockett High School construction technology instructor, said the construction technology program is an opportunity for students to graduate job-ready.

"It is my belief that not everybody needs to go to college," Lardon said. "Some students need to get to work, and ... employers will help them get an education in a directed fashion."

The Crockett construction technology building is scheduled to be completed in April.