The culmination of an innovative technology class has students at St. Francis High School totally revved this week.
A tricked-out chopper that's been the class pride and joy for the past four years was to go up for auction Tuesday. Starting with a stock frame and a Harley-Davidson motor, about 30 kids have worked on the project, welding sheet metal, machining brackets, grips and controls, and meticulously painting the gas tank and trim with maroon paint and orange flames. Of course.
Technology education teacher Brent Stavig said the hope is that the sale of the bike on eBay will raise enough money to fund the program's next project, and to offer scholarships for students going on to tech programs in college.
They'll get more than money out of the project: Several students have earned college credits in machining and metalwork in the class, and a few already have prospects for machining jobs after that. The project has taught them bodywork, machining, metalwork and welding. Using the shop's state-of-the-art computer numerical control (CNC) machines involves complex computations to make sure precision cuts are precisely where they should be. Employers and tech school representatives are frequent visitors to the class.
One thing Stavig has figured out: Students learn better when lessons are hands-on and interesting enough to be motivating in themselves.
"Would a kid rather build a toolbox and paint it, or would a kid rather build a Harley-Davidson?" he asked. "The motorcycle is the carrot to get the kids' attention."
One morning last week a group of boys huddled around the bike as it roared on its platform. They made adjustments to the timing and peered into the engine, searching for the source of an oil leak. Small problems, Stavig said.
On the other end of the shop, Bryce Brethorst, a senior, had programmed the CNC to bore a hole in the center of a plate he had machined to cover the primary belt.