High School Shop Class....

[jeff_1064]

I teach woodworking and because of scheduling changes for the next year thanks to the new State of Michigan graduation requirements the number of students taking my class has dropped by half. This is putting my job as risk. I don't understand how the legislature can think this is a good thing...you better save now to ensure you have money to pay for repairs to your home, car, etc...

So here's my question...

I need to market my class to teenagers. Past projects I have done are coffee tables, end tables, bars, gun racks, gun stocks, rocking chairs....the list goes on. I will be offering my students the choice of making an electric guitar or a skateboard next year...

Any ideas of what a 15 - 19 year old might be interested in making??

Jeff

[germdoc]

just a thought:

[crokett]

Jeff,

He'd have a full class, but he'd get in trouble right quick.

[Thom2]

Speakers
Computer Desks/Home Office Furniture type stuff
Curio cabinets? (think gifts for Mom, anything in that dept should be a hit)
Some sort of bed with storage under it, as going off to college doesn't often offer much storage space.

I guess really you need to think like a teenager, if the item is going to be for themselves, there's really only 2 places they can call their own. The car and their bedroom, so the items have to revolve around those 2 places.

Gifts for Mom is ussually another big hit because they know Mom will put the project on a pedestal for eternity (not that Dad won't, but Mom's just seem to always get the majority of handmade gifts)

[JR]

My brother made a waterski in high school shop. Pretty cool project.

How about collaborating with the auto shop teacher. Maybe turn some shifter knobs? Wooden dashboard? Restore a woody?

JR

[Thom2]

Nevvamind .... I like Jeff's idea MUCH BETTER!!!!

[LarryG]

Any ideas of what a 15 - 19 year old might be interested in making??

When I was 15 - 19 years old, I was mostly interested in making out.

These days, boys that age mostly seem to worship their video game consoles. Maybe something with a tie-in to those?

[burrellski]

custom car stereo speaker boxes
MAME arcade cabinet.....combine woodworking with computer science
loft beds for college

[DaveS]

How about big woofer speaker cabinets for those little wind up things they call "cars".

[Alex Franke]

I wonder if you can get the administration to buy into how much good press and PR they can get by investing in the program rather than making it harder for students to take it. The woodworking students and teacher at one of the high schools here always seem to be winning awards and national recognition, and the school system is pretty proud if it. They make a lot of excellent tables and nightstands. http://www.orange.k12.nc.us/news/sto...working_05.htm

Maybe let them make fancy wooden computer cases -- seems like kids love to mod their cases nowadays.

[jeff_1064]

those tables look great...but because I have a "0" budget the students have to pay for the projects. One of the problems I have is my students can't afford those types of projects. I teach in a poor farming district.

Jeff

[DaveW]

Along the lines of video games, how about custom ipod cases and the like? Of course, that would probably start voiding warranties etc, but would definitely look cool and marketable

[gsmittle]

The cynic in me says....

...how about zip guns?

Nahhhhh, too easy. Get them involved in building theatrical scenery....

Not that I have an axe to grind or anything

g.

[Ed62]

For a cheap to make project, anything to do with sports should go over pretty good. Maybe even something with the high school emblem to hold a picture of the (name the sport) team.

Ed

[JR]

One of the problems I have is my students can't afford those types of projects. I teach in a poor farming district.

More on the automotive them - wooden beds for their pickup trucks.