Southern Alberta students show off motorcycles built from scratch at Biker Build-Off

There were plenty of selfies being taken at Crowsnest Trail Harley-Davidson Friday, as teams showed off the results of their school project. The Lethbridge motorcycle dealership was the site of the awards ceremony for the Biker Build-Off, with a team from the Carmangay Outreach School taking top honours and a Noble Central School team winning the People’s Choice Award.

The challenge, which is now in its seventh year, is the project of Palliser Regional Schools’ shop teacher Ken Sanderson. Students can take the Career and Technology Studies course and build a motorcycle from scratch over the span of a semester.

Along with learning welding and metal skills, the students learn the importance of teamwork and, perhaps most importantly, problem solving.

Sanderson said he only weighs in when teams have no other choice.

“I want to see them take ownership of it and make some mistakes, but learn from them,” Sanderson said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I want to see them take ownership of it and make some mistakes, but learn from them," Sanderson said.

Lethbridge MP Rachael Harder handed out the People’s Choice Award to the Nobleford team of Jared Feenstra, Tynan Potterton, Dawson Schlamp and Hayden Scott based on votes. While she admits she doesn’t have an extensive knowledge of choppers, Harder didn’t have any problem recognizing the benefits of hands-on learning.

“We need to look for those opportunities so kids have a chance to really explore the skills and talents and abilities they have that are outside the realm of a traditional school setting,” she said.

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The top award for the best chopper was given to Carmangay representatives Erica Penner and Corny and Benny Thiessen.

This year saw only two teams take part in the challenge, half as many as in previous years. Sanderson said he would love to see more schools in Palliser Regional Schools, as well as other districts in southern Alberta, take advantage of the competition.

“I would like to see it grow to other schools because metal work is a real difficult course to actually get projects that are cost effective and that the students are going to learn from,” Sanderson said. “It’s wide open and if they want to join, they’re in.”