In December 2025, the Kitamaat Valley Education Society (KVES), in partnership with St. Anthony’s Catholic School in Kitimat, launched the St. Anthony’s Rocket Stove Project.
Our first cohort of 15 students in December and our second cohort of 12 students in April constructed their own Rocket Stoves over 10 to 11 weekly sessions. Grade 6 to 8 students first learned what to do in the event of an emergency or incident, followed by shop safety and the safe use of power tools. Next, using a band saw, drill press, angle grinders, and a lengthy list of power and hand tools, the students cut, drilled, and prepared their raw steel for the main event, welding!
Students finished their projects by fitting their rocket stoves with handcrafted wooden handles. Every student took home not only a completed rocket stove, but also an expanded skill set that could lead to a future career in the skilled trades, along with the confidence that comes from building something they never thought possible. Many students were heard saying: “If I can do this, I can do anything.”
On behalf of everyone at KVES, I would like to send out a huge congratulations to both St. Anthony’s cohorts on an amazing job well done. You should all be incredibly proud of what you accomplished.
Looking ahead to Fall of 2026, the Rocket Stove Project 2.0 will introduce exciting new features thanks to the support of the Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB). KVES was awarded a grant that enabled us to acquire an Arc-Droid CNC plasma cutter, which will allow students to design and cut intricate custom grill tops for their rocket stoves.
Returning students will also have the opportunity to use the Arc-Droid to cut steel components that will be welded together to create a dragon’s head that fits over the top part of the rocket stove. When a fire is lit, flames will emerge from the dragon’s open mouth, creating a one of a kind marshmallow roasting experience!
The Rocket Stove Project is an incredible hands-on activity for schools, youth groups, community organizations, and even corporate team building events. The skills students develop don’t just prepare them for potential careers in the skilled trades, they’re valuable throughout life. Learning how to cut, grind, drill, and weld metal gives people the confidence to repair equipment, restore projects, build something from scratch, or finally tackle that creative idea they’ve always wanted to bring to life.
At KVES, we believe that learning by doing builds more than projects. It builds confidence, creativity, problem solving abilities, and the skills to turn ideas into reality.
Interested in bringing the Rocket Stove Project to your school or organization? We’d love to work with you! Whether you’re looking to inspire students, engage a community group, or create a unique team-building experience, KVES can tailor the program to meet your needs. Contact us today to learn how the Rocket Stove Project can ignite creativity, build practical skills, and create an unforgettable hands-on experience.
