Hands-on project connects students to active historic restoration and career pathways
CARROLLTON, Ky. Students at iLEAD Academy are gaining hands-on experience in engineering and historic preservation through a project connected to the ongoing restoration of the Carroll County Courthouse.
Using actual architectural plans from the courthouse renovation, students designed and 3D-printed a detailed model of the building’s clock tower, a central feature currently under restoration as part of broader county facility improvements.
The project began when Ryan Baker, Senior Business Development Engineer with Ascendant Facility Partners, connected with educators at iLEAD Academy to explore ways students could engage with the active project. Ascendant Facility Partners is working with Carroll County leadership on a series of infrastructure upgrades,including improvements to the historic courthouse.
To support the effort, AFP coordinated with design partners Lamar Architecture & Design and BWF Marcum Engineering, who provided students with authentic project plans.
Students used those materials to apply classroom skills in design and fabrication and produce a scaled, highly detailed model.
Students later presented the finished model to the Carroll County Fiscal Court, giving local leaders a tangible representation of both the restoration project and student involvement.
“This project gave students a unique opportunity to work with the same materials and concepts used by professionals in the field,” said Baker. “Applying those skills to a real project in their own community made the experience more meaningful.”
In a statement to the school, David Wilhoite, Carroll County Judge Executive, praised the students’ work and noted the craftsmanship and attention to detaildemonstrated in the model.
The initiative highlights how public infrastructure projects can support student learning and workforce development. By connecting local education with active community investments, the project introduced students to careers in engineering, architecture, and construction while reinforcing the importance of preserving Carroll County’s historic assets
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