Page 20 - HIWT Summer 2011 World of Welding

THE WORLD OF WELDING http://www.welding.org

ONE SUCCESSFUL LIFE AT A TIME several aspects of metal fabrication in their projects. A
lantern and hanger showcased knowledge of sheet metal
(Continued from page 11) forming practices as well as blacksmithing technique. Many
projects, including a steel dog and a desk top name plate had
components which were first forged, then welded together.
At Assabet Valley, the seniors are responsible for presenting to The student’s most popular choice for creative project was
a panel of 10 judges the following: blacksmithing. A coat rack, bike hanger and a gate complete
• An (AWS) fabrication / welding project developed with hardware were admirable. The presenters included
from a trade blueprint information about the history of their project, the science
• Their professional portfolios, behind it, the fabricating process, cost, and safety concerns.
• A PowerPoint® presentation on a sequenced process It is a great way to encourage the students to think about how
using scienc, shop math, safety, cost analysis, and they would explain their ideas to a client or supervisor, and
history of the metal or welding process. prepare them for future employment. - S.B.

Also included is a creative metal project of their own As the students reach senior year they have covered all safety
choice which includes sheet metal, welding, blacksmithing, practices in a metal shop, basic sheet metal layout, metallurgy,
metallurgy, etc. Judges are those from the area who shop math, extensive blueprint reading, many levels of
are professionals in their area of expertise including welding, basic fabricating, pipe welding and pipe fabrication,
artists, blacksmiths, professional pipe welders, structural and basic blacksmithing.
and mechanical engineers, parents, sheet metal workers,
ironworkers, and small metal fabrication business owners. Two-thirds of the senior class is employed through
co-op agreements in metal fabrication and welding
The following is a portion of a letter of feedback that businesses. In the community, they have served meals
a parent sent to me: to homeless veterans, taught boy and girl scouts how to earn
their metal merit badges, gone on countless field trips to all
Thank you for the opportunity to judge Senior Projects again sorts of metalworking business, and were taught to become
this year. It was a very impressive display of craftsmanship honorable people.
and creativity, and this group of seniors has certainly raised
the bar for future students. I have been fortunate to have seen In the end, not all of our students will go onto work in metal
the evolution of the requirements for Senior Projects over the related businesses. Some will work at the burger bistros, pizza
last few years. It seems that while more has been expected of shops, or become convenience store operators. But that is a
them, the students have risen to the challenge. choice they make in life and perhaps some day, they will find
that they cannot become independent and live on their own
The weldment assignment, which was added last year, is an while earning $8.25 per hour. They will be welcomed back
excellent way to access the student’s ability to read a blueprint. as they seek advice in how move their lives forward. After
One student even generated CAD drawings of the individual all, it’s not a race and no one is keeping a score card when it
components and had the pieces machined before welding them comes to learning and moving forward. Some people take
together. As a whole, the weldments showed that the students a little longer than others. However, most of our students go
took this part of the project seriously, and worked carefully on to lead a successful, gainful, and rewarding life in welding.
to meet the requirements of the drawing. The portfolios were
compiled to showcase the student’s achievements. Resumes, All of them have been taught how to think and solve problems,
drawings and photos of student’s work and certificates of and how to shape, weld, bend, and form different types of
merit were well organized… metal alloys, how to read blue prints, but above all, they have
been taught how to be respectful, kind, courteous, and caring
…The most inspiring part of the project is the PowerPoint while reaching out to lend a helping hand to someone in need.
presentation and the creative project. The topics this year These attributes make our world and local communities better
were varied, but each student showed professionalism in their places to live, learn, and grow. An open-minded young adult
appearance, manner, and presentation. The seniors greeted the with a good blend of social skills, community involvement,
judges, displayed their creative project, and presented their and a solid base line of skills is a good start!
slides. The projects ranged from displays showing examples
of stick welding techniques to an ornately hand forged candy Neil Mansfield is a graduate of Hobart Institute and lead metal
dish. One student impressed the judges with his thorough fabrication teacher at Assabet Valley RTHS. He is a retired
U.S. Navy Seabee Chief, steel worker, structural iron worker,
knowledge of metallurgy and the history of steel production. sheet metal worker, and blacksmith. Neil describes himself as
One co-op student brought in an example of the formed metal a “continuous Hobart learner.”
housing he fabricated on the job. Many students incorporated

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