Seventh- and eighth-graders at Pilot Butte Middle School are using a new class and a local hangout to think outside the box and design something local rock-climbing enthusiasts might use in the future.

“We’re going to use software to design an indoor rock-climbing gym; that’s the end project,” said Adam King, a science and design teacher at Pilot Butte. “It’s a blend of the art of form and function in order for it to be functional as a rock-climbing gym and also aesthetically pleasing.”

Over a six-week period, the students, using free Google software, will individually design a rock wall based on a design brief from Bend Rock Gym and a few tips from designers at the Bend unit of Entre-Prises USA, a climbing wall design and construction company.

“Every project is custom-designed and built. You go through the different areas, figure out who’s going to be the end user, the different skill types and ability levels through the design of the rock wall,” said Todd Chester, Entre-Prises marketing manager. “It takes a couple weeks, going through with the gym owner, an architect. Once an agreement is made, we go into the manufacturing process and then installation.”

Nearly 40 students visited the Bend Rock Gym last week to talk to gym route setters and see what a finished climbing wall looks like. They were able to ask questions about what a customer wants in a climbing wall, demographics of customers who frequent the gym, the costs of constructing a wall and popular design elements.

“This is the first year we’re going to see what kids can generate,” King said. “They’ll be looking at what they’ve developed and created … then come full circle back to the field trip and looking at the wants and needs to see if they fulfilled it through their design.”

The students will create two designs and choose one to present to an Entre-Prises designer based on the design brief they started with. King said he hopes it inspires them to look into a different sport.

“I think it feeds into turning kids on to a new sport,” King said. “It lends itself to a lot of different directions, depending on what the kids are interested in. They’re really excited to just have an authentic company show up to take the time with them.”

— Reporter: 541-633-2117,mwarner@bendbulletin.com