An hour north of Detroit, students at Upland Hills School take classes like "Fisher Tech" and "Swamping." There's even a class on using a chainsaw! Encouraged to develop technical skills as well as an affinity for nature, they recently learned how to install a wood floor, completing the floor on the cover of this magazine. Installed in Upland Hills' world-renowned Ecological Awareness Center, the mostly end-grain floor—a hodgepodge of species—was sourced from a pallet manufacturer's scrap pile. Contractor John Yarema, whose children Philip and Lily attend Upland Hills, donated the flooring material and led the installation process; what's more, his crew donated their labor and Sika Corporation donated adhesive. After the green scraps of wood arrived at school, the kids picked out their favorite pieces. Then, at his shop, Yarema cut them to ¾-inch and dried them. Back at school, "There were all these shapes and all these sizes. We gave them each about 25 pieces," Yarema says, "and we told them, 'Find a spot, and lay these pieces and do your own pattern.'" Twelve students helped cut, fit and glue down the 650-square-foot floor. The kids worked the school's logo into the floor; they also played with patterns, made trails and created goofy designs. While the term "unique" is typically overused, it certainly applies to this floor. "The kids were a real driving force," Yarema says. "It was one of the most fun installs ever. Everyone got into it, and it turned into something that is one-of-a-kind."
