The Wheels on the Bus

Spray Foam Magazine – Spring 2025 – In today’s world, we often forget that objects, buildings, and even modes of transport can serve purposes other than their original intentions. Take, for instance, the bright yellow school bus, a symbol usually associated with transporting children to school. However, one decommissioned school bus is being repurposed in a creative and educational way. The Spray Foam Magazine team delves into this innovative project.

In Union City, Indiana, the Union City Community Junior and Senior High School is redefining educational experiences through its "Workforce Wednesday" program. This initiative is driven by a group of imaginative students who are transforming a repurposed school bus into a fully functional tiny home on wheels. This project goes beyond construction; it’s an experiential learning opportunity that combines classroom theory with practical application. The project exemplifies practical application, which involves taking theoretical knowledge and implementing it in real-world scenarios. By converting a school bus into a tiny home, students are gaining hands-on experience that enhances their understanding of design, construction, and problem-solving skills.

The goal is to transform the donated school bus into an RV in time for a spring break adventure in 2025, where students will explore national parks in the Western United States. Throughout this process, they are acquiring various technical skills, including spray foam insulation techniques, solar power installation, vehicle modifications, project management, and personal protective equipment (PPE) training. They are also developing vital problem-solving and teamwork abilities. The success of this initiative relies heavily on the support and mentorship of industry experts and local businesses like UPC, MCC Equipment and Service Center, and Insulation-HUB. These companies actively participate, enriching the students’ learning experiences beyond the classroom.

Insulation-HUB LLC is owned by Nate Conklin who launched the business in November 2022. Nate has owned several other businesses along with organizing and managing rentals and house flips with his parents. They discovered spray foam while renovating homes and Nate knew he wanted to launch a business that could offer this service. The company prides itself on the air sealing of homes and offers blower door testing for new builds. Insulation-HUB got involved with the “Workforce Wednesday” program because Nate used to be a student there, and his cousin is in the class where this program was launched. His cousin asked him if he could help, and Nate ended up not just donating his crew’s time and skills but, with the generosity of UPC and MCC, they were able to donate the foam, too.

Spray Foam Magazine reached out to Jay Hutchek, COO of MCC Equipment and Service Center about MCC’s participation in this project. “This was one that we couldn’t ignore! Nate came to MCC for assistance in helping the local school in his area with this project. When he described the project, we felt it was a perfect fit. Not only were we helping the local community, but Nate was also getting the students involved so that they could see what type of trades were available for them to pursue after high school. MCC has always believed in working in our communities – and this doesn’t just mean near our town, but with all the communities that our customers live in - and support. The best part of this is that MCC’s suppliers feel the same way - and work with us to give as much back as possible. Nate is doing the right things for this industry in both work quality and in his community,” stated Jay.

The day began at 9 a.m. with eight students from the program. Before the Insulation-HUB crew arrived, the students worked with an instructor to prep the bus to be ready for spraying by covering the floors and windows with plastic. The lead sprayer, Mitch Keel, and the Insulation-HUB crew made sure anyone spraying had on full PPE. The students were given instructions and a tour of the spray rig. The entire process was explained from setup to dismantle. Mitch also explained the training that their crew has and that he is a certified sprayer and going for Master Installer certification this year through the SPFA. This helped educate the students of the possibilities and growth as a contractor in the trade.

Once the foam temps were ready, it was go time! The crew did a test run and showed the students how UPC closed-cell foam reacts on the walls of the bus. The students took turns to have a go on the gun with the crew watching and correcting their technique. Due to the curved shape of the bus, they took it slowly to ensure the students could see both the technique and the expansion of the foam. The crew also made it clear that they would be spraying two inches to the walls of the bus. The students were attentive and enjoyed the hands-on learning.

After the spraying was complete, the students were shown how to scrape and then clean up. The students worked for three hours from start to finish. They got a taste of the hard work and dedication required in this field. The enthusiasm was clear even as they wrapped up exhausted, yet satisfied, with their day’s progress.

The “Workforce Wednesday” program continues, with the next steps involving the installation of paneling and painting over the foam. Nate expressed that “This project not only teaches valuable skills but also fosters creativity and teamwork. It’s rewarding for students to engage with industry practices and explore future possibilities. We are grateful for the support our community partners have provided to make this educational adventure a reality.”