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RC and Technical Education...
Hi,
After 11 years in the engineering field, I have taken a job as a technology education teacher at a High School Academy. Teaching 5 classes right now, from Technical Drawing to Engineering. My main goal is to get the program back on its feet and my personal goals are to make it #1 in the county and introduce Aerospace into the curriculum through RC. The majority of my engineering experience is in that field, as well as my primary hobby. So, I would like to ask three things. 1) If you have anything laying around your shop that you would like to donate to the program, that would be great. I am looking for just about anything. Send me a personal email and I can give you more details and where to send it. Or, if you just want to ask if I can use something before you send it let me know. 2) I am sure some others here have done/tired something similar. I have high school age kids, everything from kids that can barely spell their names to kids in advanced calculus classes. What kind of things have you tried that worked or not. I know all about the Delta Darts and stuff like that, I am looking for original ideas. 3) Simple, is there a better place to post this. Thanks! Joe |
RE: RC and Technical Education...
ORIGINAL: JFranco Hi, After 11 years in the engineering field, I have taken a job as a technology education teacher at a High School Academy. Teaching 5 classes right now, from Technical Drawing to Engineering. My main goal is to get the program back on its feet and my personal goals are to make it #1 in the county and introduce Aerospace into the curriculum through RC. The majority of my engineering experience is in that field, as well as my primary hobby. So, I would like to ask three things. 1) If you have anything laying around your shop that you would like to donate to the program, that would be great. I am looking for just about anything. Send me a personal email and I can give you more details and where to send it. Or, if you just want to ask if I can use something before you send it let me know. 2) I am sure some others here have done/tired something similar. I have high school age kids, everything from kids that can barely spell their names to kids in advanced calculus classes. What kind of things have you tried that worked or not. I know all about the Delta Darts and stuff like that, I am looking for original ideas. 3) Simple, is there a better place to post this. Thanks! Joe James |
RE: RC and Technical Education...
just a thought, you might wanna contact the AMA and see if they have any programs in place already that may help you. my guess would be that they have something in place already aimed at education.
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RE: RC and Technical Education...
Explore grant options. You'll have to have a solid program planned to be able to write a successful grant, but that's usually the best way to secure funding for non-traditional programs.
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RE: RC and Technical Education...
I built a display Corsair which I use to demonstrate aerodynamics, building, showing the RC hobby to anyone interested, etc. Although you may not want to invest as much money and time as I did, you could use this as an idea.
putfile.com/rwright142 shows some pictures and why I did it. |
RE: RC and Technical Education...
Look at SPADS as an option as well. All the same principles apply, but the building material are very cheap, the planes are very rugged.
Brad |
RE: RC and Technical Education...
Thanks for the replies.
Yes, a high wing training is one idea I have been toying with. Was also thinking of a nice 1/2A slow flier for them to be able to fly around the football field. Any suggestions on a 1/2A kit with 4 channels? I want them to learn about all the control surfaces. AMA will be hearing from me shortly. I have looked into grants when I was going to start a summer camp, it is an option, but will take some research into writing a good application, maybe a summer project. I have been keeping my eyes open for somthing I could use as a display model, maybe a retired model. Yes SPADS are a good idea, any plans for a slow flyer with 4 channels? Thanks for the ideas so far guys... |
RE: RC and Technical Education...
There is also a program in place by National Association of Rocketry.
Try this link. http://wwwtest.nar.org/teacher.html |
RE: RC and Technical Education...
Grant writing is one of those things that everybody puts off. The people who make an effort to write them are the people who get their pet projects funded. Putting off writing one, two, three, or four won't get your project off the ground. It takes time and is hard work, but those who make the investment usually see the payoff. How badly do you want what you're asking for here?
In the meantime, get some cheap .049s that have seen a lot of use. Teach the kids the basics of glow engines with them--disassembly, assembly, and operation. You can run them in the shop. |
RE: RC and Technical Education...
1/2a is a blast. I have a 30in wingspan free flight I converted to 4ch R/C powered with an AP .061 and am working on a 41in ws OS .10 powered right now. I have another kit on the shelf of a Jr Falcon reproduction kit made by a small company called Early RC run by an RCU member that goes by BobHH for a screen name. You may want to see what he has in the 1/2a forum.
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RE: RC and Technical Education...
"It takes time and is hard work, but those who make the investment usually see the payoff. How badly do you want what you're asking for here? "
Right now what is taking time and hard work is teaching 5 classes my first year (this position is normally staffed by two), trying to get a CAD lab set up, trying to get a 14 station techlab set up, trying to get the CNC station running again, sponsoring an engineering club, etc, etc. I am putting more time and energy into this program than any job I have ever had and I am making literally half of my past salary, so I don't consider this a "pet" project. I have spent time looking over grants and know a number of people that have had success and failures with non-profits. I spoke with all of them a few weeks back. I will have a much better chance once the enrollment in the program is higher, all the equipment that I want to use along with the RC is running and I don't have to take time away from teaching and the students to write one up, hence, the summer. Sorry to sound defensive but the amount of time I have already put into the program is insane! |
RE: RC and Technical Education...
All I can say is welcome to the education industry. When you've got a chicken or the egg problem, you need to tackle it from both ends. Grants aren't necessarily large, and they aren't necessarily hard to get. You can start small and work your way up. Grant proposals don't need to be targeted to formal grant offerings. You can petition local businesses, or perhaps your local hobby shops and RC clubs. Design a program that will be an investment for them and ask for their help in getting started. Approach local FBOs in the same way. Got a university in the area with an aerospace program? Same idea.
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