Several students in Brett Graham's Metals II class decided to spend part of their Thanksgiving break working on projects with seasonal deadlines. The students are creating metal poinsettia flowers for the Ottumwa Symphony, a Santa mailbox for Greater Ottumwa Partner's in Progress' Holiday Nights 'n Lights event, and a lighted tractor and hay baler for John Deere that will become a permanent addition to the light display in Ottumwa Park.
Metal flowers started as a mass production unit for students in Metals I. Once the flowers and leaves are cut, advanced students weld the pieces together, creating poinsettia bouquets.
If students complete the Santa mailbox in time, Ottumwa area students can "mail" letters to Santa in Ottumwa Park as part of the Holiday Nights n' Lights.
A project designed last year in SparkTank by engineering students, a metal framework is being created by students in Metals Ii. Once finished, the tractor and baler will have lights attached and will become part of the annual holiday lights display in the park.
