Supporting woodworking in schools

[BobD]

I just came across this blog...this is definately something we support at Fox...and I thought I'd pass it on!

http://wisdomofhands.blogspot.com/20...esolution.html

Bob

[bearfretworks]

Good one Bob, thanks!

Another woodworking forum that I am a member of just collected enough money from members to purchase 2 mini-lathes, tools, chucks, etc.... and donated them to a high school wood shop. A couple manufacturers stepped up and donated accessories as well. Getting the next generation involved is priceless!

[BobD]

I totally agree! I've heard that a lot of schools are shutting down their shops because of lack of interest...that just makes me sick! I took two years of shop--and had to fight with the guidence counselor before he let me because I was "academic..." not industrial arts! I got my way, and it was wonderful to get down and dirty in the shop...and forget all the intellectual crap for at least one period!

Bob

[workin for wood]

I loved shop class in high school. That was the one thing worth while looking forward too. I'm just naturally adept with woodworking. I built a whiskey Hooka of laminated woods, turned on the lathe. It was so awesome, it had the whiskey chamber, the "tobacco" bowl on top and a long tube, and all the pieces came apart to clean. I got an A on the project until the teacher found out just what I made, then I got an F and was expelled for a week. Worse part was I never got too keep the pipe, or christen it. It's probably being used in the faculty lounge to this very day for all I know...sigh.

[lucky788scroller]

I agree as well! How long until the shop classes are replaced with classes like "PS2 Basics" or "Mastering Video Gaming 101"? Dale

[Rolf]

I made a pistol crossbow in my shop class, that didn't make points with the teaching staff either. First an last weapon made in my old high school. (class of 66) I loved shop class. We had Automotive, Metal and wood. I think that is all gone now.
Our LI woodworking club has been giving lessons on hand cut dove tails at one of the local schools.

[BobD]

I'm sure there are less liability issues with classes like those, Dale...

Just heard that one of my coworkers son hurt himself in Shop Class...it sounds like it was kickback from a table saw (the wood flipped up, sliced his thumb open, and pushed it back, breaking it...)...the worst you can expect in PS2 Basics is carpal tunnel syndrome...

Bob

[PuzzledMoose]

I'm sure there are less liability issues with classes like those, Dale...

..the worst you can expect in PS2 Basics is carpal tunnel syndrome...

Bob

Don't you bet on it, Bob. When I was teaching a computer class in England I had one young anima - erm - student pull a monitor off the desk and onto his head ... don't ask how!!!

I guess it was lucky for me that the parents realised whose fault the accident really was!! Unfortunately it did the monitor more harm than the student!

Ian

[Jediscroller]

This is a great thing. I don't know that I would've ever gotten into woodworking had it not been for 6th grade shop class. Most of the schools around here (the richest state in the country to add insult to injury) no longer offer shop classes. I learned woodworking, basic auto-mechanics and many other useful life lessons in these classes. It's a shame that they're not being offered anymore.

[lucky788scroller]

I'm sure there are less liability issues with classes like those, Dale...

Just heard that one of my coworkers son hurt himself in Shop Class...it sounds like it was kickback from a table saw (the wood flipped up, sliced his thumb open, and pushed it back, breaking it...)...the worst you can expect in PS2 Basics is carpal tunnel syndrome...

Bob

Yes Bob, perhaps you are right in that aspect. And, now that I think of it, there probably are jobs looking to hire kids with high PS2 scores. Who needs the creative skills anymore anyways? dale

[Max]

Here's another recent story on the same subject. My son is so bogged down with the acedemics, he is losing interest in some classes. I'd love to see a shop class at his school.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/EDUCATION/10....ap/index.html

Dan

[lucky788scroller]

Thanks Dan, that is an excellent artical. A couple quotes from it that so true: "We have a generation of students that can answer questions on tests, know factoids, but they can't do anything," said Aschwanden, an appointee to the state Board of Education.
and, like I tell my 4H kids :"He tells his students that this is a math class, too, but a fun one."
Thanks again for posting that. Dale

[Rolf]

Ok Kevin,

What is the richest state in the country?

[BobD]

I hope you all realize that my coments above were tongue in cheek...just looking back, I realize that someone could have taken me seriously....if you did, I apologize!

Bob

[Jediscroller]

Ok Kevin,

What is the richest state in the country?

Connecticut, also the highest or second highest taxed state in the country (we do battle with Mass and NY for that "honor" every year). Unfortunately, that doesn't mean that we're all rich, just means that we pay more to the government every year.
Oh, and I found our (after my wife yelled at me) that our local high school does offer 2 woodworking classes (I and II), yay! They offer these and 2 metalworking classes as well. Maybe there's hope after all.