Machining and Welding program students at Seaquam Secondary are swimming in steel tubing thanks to a donation of material from a Langley-based manufacturer.
In a story shared on the Delta School District's website, Graeme Bossons, a teacher at the North Delta school, said he originally reached out to Reliable Tube Inc. to buy some one-inch-by-one-inch steel tubing for the electric go-kart his students are building to compete in the second annual Edison Motors High School EV Challenge, happening May 31 at the Merritt Rodeo Grounds. Seaquam competed in the inaugural EV Challenge last spring, placing second overall out of nearly two dozen teams.
“They very generously offered to donate tubing that was left over from a job," Bossons said. "There are 285 12-foot lengths, 122 20-foot lengths, and 95 25-foot lengths. When I did the math, it’s approximately 8,000 feet of steel tubing. To buy this would have cost almost $6,500."
In addition to using the 6,676.83 pounds of metal to build the electric go-kart, Bossons is working with students on other uses for the material, such as making stools and tables, and has encouraged senior students to develop their own ideas and designs for projects using the square tubing.
“This donation will aid students’ learning as they develop their skills in fabrication and welding. They will be learning about precision measurement, design, problem-solving, manufacturing, welding, material handling and material finishing, such as paint or other forms of rust prevention,” Bossons said.
Jason Swan with Reliable Tube said it's a privilege for the company to be able to support the local community.
“Our team is excited to play a role in helping to create a memorable experience for the students of Seaquam Secondary,” he said.
The school was able to not only keep its Machining and Welding program going but expand it this year thanks to another local company's generosity.
Since the start of the school year, Tilbury-based Cascadia Metals has donated more than 10,000 pounds of various types of steel to support the program, allowing Seaquam to increase the number of welding booths from one to eight and freeing up budget to pay for the helmets and hand tools students need to use them.
