Bench Project

Bench project

The Fabricated Bench course guides participants through the complete process of designing, fabricating, and finishing a functional steel bench. The course covers a wide range of practical skills and activities, including:

• Designing the bench using CAD software (Fusion 360).
• Creating a detailed cut list and budgeting a fabrication project.
• Introduction to the cold cut saw, angle grinders, sanders, and hand‑polishing techniques.
• Introduction to MIG welding and assembling the bench components.
• Visiting a powder‑coating facility and selecting the bench’s colour.
• Delivery of the finished bench to the school or group location.

Participants gain practical fabrication experience, develop project planning and budgeting skills, and take pride in producing a tangible, functional product that they helped design, build, and finish.

Studies show benches can reduce feelings of loneliness and provide a simple way for children to signal that they want to connect with others in the playground. Benches encourage inclusivity, help develop empathy and social skills, and contribute to a positive school environment. Many students report that the addition of benches helped them make friends and that it provided a safe, stigma‑free way to seek companionship, while teachers have observed increased peer interaction and fewer students spending time alone during breaks.