High School Woodshop Closing

[dbhost]

How exactly does statistics tie into the work of a machinist?

[jackellis]

How exactly does statistics tie into the work of a machinist?

Quality control. I doubt small shops require this but in the large production operations, machinists oversee the operation of banks of automated milling machines.

My sister-in-law's husband has a master's in astronomy and one of his businesses is building telescope mounts that are sought after by hobbyists and small university observatories all over the world (Mathis Instruments). He farms out the aluminum castings but he makes most of the other parts on the same kinds of milling machines you'd find in a production shop. Does all of the design and programming himself. Plenty of math, and the kind of machining he does is not atypical.

[dbhost]

Hmmm. Most of the machinists I know work from pre-defined designs. It sounds like your SIL's hubby is leaning in toward engineering a bit there...

[Kristofor]

The middle school I attended had metal, wood, and misc. industrial arts (printing, photography, electronics, etc.). These classes were mandatory for all students (along with foods, sewing, music, gym, etc.) through 8th grade. After that point and in High School they were electives and not empty, but also not very full.

I think part of the problem is that in addition to kids who had a genuine interest in the subject in High School these classes are where all of the ruffians, chemical dependency types, and not-very-bright kids (not PC, I know) ended up...

This was in a public school, but in district that was always in the 95-99th percentile for achievement on standardized testing. This was also pre-NCLB days, so those programs may have been around to help keep the distracting kids out of the "regular" classrooms, with any learning just a bonus.

I don't know if that was really the intended purpose (and I'd like to think not) or if it's just how it worked out. I do know that the only Industrial Arts class I took in High School (electronics), was a complete waste of time and the nice equipment they had on hand. The instructor was a very nice guy, but he didn't know anything about the subject at hand beyond how to solder. I'm pretty sure he would have been a good guy to have teaching wood/metal, and in retrospect I would love to have learned those skills in HS.

[JeffW]

I was at a school board meeting last night and this was a source of a lively debate. Board members wanted to bring back these classes and administration was reluctant because of test scores. I do believe that the board won, however no money to buy equipment. They are talking about going into some sort of co-op with the local community college.

[paintandbodtman]

I think part of the problem is that in addition to kids who had a genuine interest in the subject in High School these classes are where all of the ruffians, chemical dependency types, and not-very-bright kids (not PC, I know) ended up...

I don't know if that was really the intended purpose (and I'd like to think not) or if it's just how it worked out. I do know that the only Industrial Arts class I took in High School (electronics), was a complete waste of time and the nice equipment they had on hand. The instructor was a very nice guy, but he didn't know anything about the subject at hand beyond how to solder. I'm pretty sure he would have been a good guy to have teaching wood/metal, and in retrospect I would love to have learned those skills in HS.

You hit the nail on the head with your assessment,out of about 50 students I had about 4-6 students that really wanted to learn the curriculum the rest were made up of students that were seniors taking first year in a 2yr curriculum or students that were under achievers academically. The school system at least in NC had the premise that if you did'nt excell academically or were a problem child you were steered toward the vocational classes.I had plenty of students tell me that they tried to signup for my class and they were told by the counsolars that they were to bright to take those classes.I looked at the state blueprint for my curriculum which was collision repair and it had a prerecquisite of auto technology which none of my first year students had taken, when I questioned this I was told to not rock the boat.
Another problem was that the schools could hire just about anyone that they thought could teach these courses. They would hire someone they thought was intelligent enough to learn as they taught lots of times.Now they have to hire someone with the proper credentials for the vocation that they are teaching,(ASE certification for the auto courses, state licenses for the building trades and health occupations,licensed cosmotologist,ect,ect),They had to start paying these teachers for their experience which caused problems because the teachers with teaching degrees resented someone coming out of industry makeing as much or more as they did that did'nt have that 4yr degree, it did'nt matter that they had the skills and qualifications to teach the curriculum DAMHIK.

Wayne