The DKMS Go-Kart Club isn't a leisure activity; it's a hands-on, after-school fabrication shop where students become engineers and builders. Our mission is to take a pile of raw steel and transform it into a functional, running machine. We equip students in Grades 7, 8, and 9 with the practical skills and confidence needed to create objects with their own hands.

Our Core Philosophy: Competency and Resilience

Our program is built on one simple principle: competency and learning are generated through iterative skill development.

We believe the most important skill we teach is problem-solving and resilience. When a part doesn't fit or a design doesn't work, we don't give up—we adapt. Students learn to:

• Decompose a complex machine into a series of simple fabrication steps.

• Design or modify parts to solve real-world mechanical problems.

• Read blueprints and execute a plan with precision.

• Connect the theoretical concepts of Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, and Materials Science directly to the physical world of steel and sparks.

The Fabrication Shop: Tools and Training

In our dedicated metal shop, club members train on industrial-grade equipment using real materials. Our focus is on mastering the tools used in professional trades:

• Joining & Welding: We teach MIG Welding (Metal Inert Gas), focusing on proper tacking, running consistent seams, and controlling heat to minimize distortion.

  • Core Skills: MIG Welding, Tacking, Seam Control.

  • Primary Material: Mild Steel (e.g., 0.065” square tubing).

• Cutting & Shaping: Students gain proficiency with industrial-grade equipment to accurately size and shape metal components.

  • Core Skills: Precision cutting using the Chop Saw and Horizontal Band Saw. We also utilize the CNC Plasma Cutter for 3/16” plate steel parts.

  • Primary Material: Steel Tubing and Plate Steel.

• Precision & Drilling: Hand tools and stationary machines are used to ensure parts are ready for assembly.

  • Core Skills: Accurate measuring, proper Drill Press operation, deburring, and surface preparation using Angle Grinders and hand tools.

• Machining (Advanced): The club uses the Milling Machine to create highly accurate components essential for the go-kart's mechanical systems.

  • Core Skills: Precision part creation for custom bushings, axle spacers, and mounting solutions.

Safety is Our Foundation

As the supervising shop teacher, I place safety above all else. During the initial training period, all students are directly supervised on every piece of machinery. Independence is earned. Once a student demonstrates a consistent and repeated understanding of the required procedures and mandatory PPE, they are allowed to work semi-independently within sight of the supervisor.

Our Team and History

The Instructor's Role

The club is led by Mr. McColm, who brings considerable fabrication experience to the club. Having led successful go-kart competition teams at other schools, he has developed the resources and training plans specifically for this age group.

His role evolves as the students develop:

1. Instructor: Teaching mandatory machine use and safety procedures.

2. Shop Foreman: Validating design plans, ensuring materials are managed efficiently, and counseling students on advanced techniques.

3. Facilitator: Guiding the team through problem-solving hurdles when their designs don't work as intended.

The Project Goal

The Go-Kart Club began its journey at DKMS last year, drawing on the successes of prior programs. Our ultimate goal is for the team to successfully design, fabricate, and assemble a working go-kart chassis ready for the track! Every member contributes to this group effort, ensuring they leave the club with tangible, marketable skills and the knowledge that they built something real.