58 Mount Royal Collegiate students enrolled in newly expanded automotive program taught to participate in Project Horse Power, led by Jillian Mainville and Virgil Rovensky thanks to Power Up Projects!
Mount Royal Collegiate Autobody and Automechanics Teacher“In addition to this truck restoration project, equipping our Autobody program has expanded the variety of repairs and fixes our students can take on for community and staff members, which has always been a part of our Industrial Arts program’s giving back to our school and wider community!”
Mount Royal had bought a 1987 GMC Sierra 1500 and set a goal for students to restore it completely in 3-5 years. The Power Up Project received $5000 to fund the auto mechanics and autobody programs.
58 students in grades 10-12 registered in the classes in the 2023-24 school year. All the students involved in the classes took part in the restoration at grade-appropriate levels. Following this success, next year there will be 4 more classes scheduled!
The classes worked together toward the goal of presenting the truck and its initial alterations. Consequently, they would present the truck at Mount Royal’s Show & Shine Car Show May 25.
Mount Royal Collegiate Autobody and Auto Mechanics Teacher“Several students were put forth as candidates for the SIEC’s autobody and automotive bootcamps, and one student was successfully placed in an industry position through the Saskatchewan Youth Internship Program.”
Mount Royal Collegiate’s Project Horse Power had students learn by doing. The students worked to complete the following:
- replacing the paneling on the front half of the truck
- replacing the front and back fenders
- installing new doors
- designing and painting the truck hood
Students were also taught about proper safety standards for car repairs and workshop spaces. Additionally, the program introduced students to new tools and equipment that they didn’t have access to before.