The Crucible is a

nonprofit A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

industrial arts Industrial arts is an educational program that features the fabrication of objects in wood or metal using a variety of hand, power, or machine tools. Industrial Arts are commonly referred to as Technology Education. It may include small engine rep ...

school in

Oakland, California Oakland is the largest city and the county seat of Alameda County, California, United States. A major West Coast of the United States, West Coast port, Oakland is the largest city in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, the third ...

, United States. Established in

Berkeley Berkeley most often refers to: *Berkeley, California, a city in the United States **University of California, Berkeley, a public university in Berkeley, California * George Berkeley (1685–1753), Anglo-Irish philosopher Berkeley may also refer ...

in 1999, the institute was moved to its present location in 2003. The Crucible has classes in blacksmithing, ceramics, enameling,

fire performance Fire performance is a group of performance arts or skills that involve the manipulation of fire. Fire performance typically involves equipment or other objects made with one or more wicks which are designed to sustain a large enough flam ...

, foundry, glass, hot wheels, jewelry, kinetics and electronics, machine shop, moldmaking, neon and light, stone working, textiles, welding, woodworking, and other industrial arts with an average of 5,000 students a year. The Crucible's Youth Program serves over 3,000 youth annually, half of whom are members of the West Oakland community who have access to free classes and workshops. Founder, Michael Sturtz, has created two fire operas, a fire ballet, and a burning version of Homer's Odyssey, in addition to the annual

Fire Arts Festival Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material (the fuel) in the exothermic chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. At a certain point in the combustion reaction, called the ignition point, flames are pr ...

held in July. As a nonprofit organization, The Crucible relies on annual membership donations, grants and individual donations.

Youth & Community program

The Crucible Youth Program is committed to community service with local schools and neighborhoods. Since 2005, the Youth and Community Outreach Program has served nearly 8,000 youth between the ages of 8 and 18. The program includes weekend and afterschool classes, camps, and field trips. The experiences support learning in areas such as mathematics, science, art, and world culture. Participants learn about the processes, tools, materials and applications of industrial arts.

Earn-A-Bike program

The workshop gives West Oakland youth hands on experience to learn about bike mechanics. In a six-week workshop, the youth work with volunteer bike mechanics to fix donated bikes. Each participant fixes two bikes and keeps one. The other bike is sold to raise money to support the bike program. The Crucible holds 'Bike Fix-a-thon' workshops where youth and their families can learn about bike maintenance and safety.

Educational Response Vehicle (ERV)

The Crucible's Educational Response Vehicle (ERV) is a 1960 International Harvester fire engine, modified to a demonstration platform for industrial and fire arts. ERV can demonstrate: *Blacksmithing *Arc Welding *Oxy-acetylene torch cutting *Glass Flameworking

Events

Fire Arts Festival

The Fire Arts Festival is a fundraising event, and proceeds benefit The Crucible's arts education programs for youth and adults.

Fire Operas and Fire Ballets

The Crucible has staged full-length performances of the following shows: * Jan 2009: Dracul, Prince of Fire * April 2008: Firebird: "L'oiseau de feu" * Jan 2007: Romeo and Juliet * Jan 2006: Seven Deadly Sins * Jan 2004: DidoO and Aeneas by Henry Purcell

Fashion shows

The Crucible has put on fashion shows: * Jan 2008: Hot Couture - a fusion of fire and fashion * April 2007: Industrial Chic - fashion and art show

Studio access with the CREATE program

CREATE stands for the Crucible's Expanded Access to Tools & Equipment. The Crucible offers the opportunity to use their tools and equipment through the CREATE program. After passing studio area check-outs, current and past students can use The Crucible's tools and equipment during studio hours.

Corporate teambuilding

Die Moto

Die Moto is a custom-built performance

diesel motorcycle A diesel motorcycle is a motorcycle with a diesel engine. Production vehicles Sommer Diesel 462 Sommer Motorradtechnik produces the Sommer Diesel 462. It is powered by Bavarian Hatz Diesel. The Sommer-diesel motorcycle is assembled by hand i ...

that has set the world speed record for diesel motorcycles at 130.614 mph. Capable of running on

diesel Diesel may refer to: * Diesel engine, an internal combustion engine where ignition is caused by compression * Diesel fuel, a liquid fuel used in diesel engines * Diesel locomotive, a railway locomotive in which the prime mover is a diesel engin ...

biodiesel Biodiesel is a form of diesel fuel derived from plants or animals and consisting of long-chain fatty acid esters. It is typically made by chemically reacting lipids such as animal fat (tallow), soybean oil, or some other vegetable oil with ...

, or

straight vegetable oil Vegetable oil can be used as an alternative fuel in diesel engines and in heating oil burners. When vegetable oil is used directly as a fuel, in either modified or unmodified equipment, it is referred to as straight vegetable oil (SVO) or pure pl ...

(SVO) fuels, Die Moto was designed and fabricated at The Crucible by a team of vehicle enthusiasts, engineers and artisans. The Die Moto team wanted to prove the viability of alternative fuel technology in performance vehicles. The motorcycle's emissions are 78% less than a standard diesel engine at speeds over 130 mph. As fuel efficiency and low emissions become increasingly important, diesel technology has responded with improved mileage and easy adaptation to biodiesel and SVO. The team of volunteers, known as The Diesel Dozen, crafted Die Moto from BMW R1150RT motorcycle parts, replacing the motor with a high performance BMW automotive diesel engine found only in Europe.The Kneeslider 'Biodiesel Motorcycle - Die Moto from The Crucible'
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References

External links

Reviews of The Crucible
at

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