Vector Space and Blackwater Branding are teaming up for another art-meets-engineering project.
Here's the plan; we give you an old, worn out bike along with scrap parts. Through the course of the week, we'll help you give it a new life as you design, cut, weld, and paint your own strange and unique bike. There will be tall bikes, long bikes, tandem bikes, car wheel bikes, sidecar bikes, low rider bikes, and more.
On day one, you'll draw from a hat to determine the type of bike you'll be creating and which of the eight project sponsors you'll be working with. Your task is to design and build your bike, incorporating the selected style and sponsoring organization into the design.
We'll ride our new bikes at Lynchburg's Get Downtown event on September 9th, showing off these creations to friends, family, and the community.
Schedule
This is a one week camp that will take place from 9 am - 3 pm, from July 10 - 14.
Students will be split into two groups of four. One group will work with Jawansa and Michelline on design from 9-11:30 am, while the other group works with Adam and Elise on function. After lunch, the groups will swap continue working until 3 pm.
Outline
Monday
The morning will begin with structural design, figuring out what type of bike you'll build and how to build it. Then we'll head to the metal shop to start making cuts.
Tuesday
We'll continue making cuts, then start welding. We'll also need to disassemble the bikes for cleanup and art prep. Tuesday will also kick off the artistic design. You know what type of bike you're building, now it's time to think about how you'll make it look nice.
Wednesday
Welding. Lots of welding. When you're not welding, you'll start priming pieces of your bike and making stencils for your custom paint job.
Thursday
It's time to assemble. I hope your sprockets line up and your axles are straight, because it's time to get the chain on and start testing. You'll also need to finish priming and begin painting.
Friday
On the last day we'll focus on testing and repair, because something will go wrong. Then you'll finish painting and take a minute to admire your work before we go for a ride.
Eligibility
This project is for self-motivated students, ages 15-18.
One scholarship is available to those looking for financial assistance. Apply under the Scholarship tab.