Calgary Academy’s Construction Lab allows students to get their hands (safely) dirty. One of the flagship units in Construction Lab is the Grade 8 bike mechanics module.
As the 2025–2026 school year begins, CA’s Construction Lab teacher, Graham Diehl, needs used bike donations to supply students with hands-on learning.
What is the Bike Mechanics Module?
In Grade 8 science, students explore the concept of simple machines. A bicycle is a great example—a complex machine composed of various simple machine subsystems. Students learn about various systems, subsystems, drivetrains, and linkages through this unit.
At a glance, a bike looks exactly like what it is. However, it’s actually a series of simple machines—levers, pulleys, wheels, and axles working together to push a rider forward.
Using the bike as a hands-on learning tool, students disassemble and service and reassemble the bicycle. In the process, they gain a deeper understanding of its mechanical systems and are introduced to the marketable skills of bike repair and servicing.
The Construction Lab has been restoring bikes for years, giving students access to unique skills. Mr. Diehl has noted that these skills can lead to a future in mechanics—whether it’s a part-time job or a career.
“The skills students learn on a bike are interchangeable, or at least an introduction to, mechanics. A lot of bike mechanics progress into car mechanics… So many different small pieces create this machine, and that’s basically what a car is.” – Mr. Diehl
All the bikes used in this program have been donated. They arrive in many conditions—some nearly new, others barely rideable.
Regardless of the starting condition, students use these bikes as learning platforms, refurbish them to good working order, and then donate them back to the community through various organizations.
When students have access to these used bikes, they can:
- Access hands-on learning tied to their coursework
- Restore used bikes to working condition
- Support the local community
Have a Used Bike to Share?
Currently, Calgary Academy is nearing the end of its bike supply.
The school is specifically looking for bikes with shiftable gears and hand-operated brakes, which are the most useful for teaching key mechanics skills. Adult-sized bikes are great for this unit, and child-sized bikes that have 20-inch wheels (or greater) are typically where multi-geared bikes start.
What Used Bikes are Best for the Construction Lab?
There is an easy way to know if you have a used bike best suited for the Construction Lab!
If your bike has a tire size (located on the sidewall of the tire) of 20 inches or greater, it would be a perfect fit for Grade 8 bike mechanics. While smaller bikes are still welcome, they’re less suited to this unit’s learning objectives.
If you have a bike you’d like to donate or plan to replace your child’s bike and would like to give the old one a second life, please contact Mr. Diehl.