Butte COT students organize competition with high schools

Call it a barbecue grill on steroids.

All metal, with fancy scrollwork, ornate handles and even a convenient place to put a cooler of beer, it’s a much burlier version of the average grill.

And then there’s the metal rat perched on top.

Called a "fab rat," the metal rodent is the mascot of a group of metal fabrication students — or welders — of Butte’s College of Technology, some of whom spent a day recently sharing their love of metalwork with high school students.

The students, overseen by instructor Dennis Noel, helped design and hold the fourth "Welder Wars," an intense hands-on competition for high school students. About 30 students from Butte, Anaconda, Dillon, Townsend and Ennis showed off their skill in various timed welding competitions, which included a written test and lots of flying sparks as students put forth their best work.

"They do the whole thing, including designing blueprints and cutting materials," said Noel. In the contest, students compete in both individual and team events. At stake are bragging rights as well as five scholarships.

Welding students’ older college counterparts say that the welding program at the COT has opened a world of opportunity for them. Some are already working — demand for proficient welders is high — while others wish to pursue further education. Graduating welding student Kevin Doern will relocate to Washington for an eight-month diving school so he can become a certified underwater welder.

By Leslie McCartney of The Montana Standard

Full Story: http://www.mtstandard.com/articles/2005/05/05/newsbutte_top/hjjejejejjfiif.txt