High School Programs and Ideas
Due to budget restraints and changing occupational needs, industrial arts programs in our public school systems are being drastically reduced or cut altogether. We, as a society, tend to gravitate toward specialization. The generalist, it seems has fallen out of favor. Concerned about the trend toward specialization, Victor Wessikopf at M.I.T. made the observation that: "An expert is someone who knows more and more about less and less, until finally he knows everything about nothing."
It is with that thought in mind that we suggest using the "J" boat for an extracurricular sailing club project. The "J" boat offers unique opportunities for a High School program:
The boats size is dramatic and lends itself well to group observation and competition.
The relationship of design to performance is easily demonstrated.
The building and sailing of these boats allows for cross-disciplinary opportunities, geometry, physics, computer aided design, industrial design, mechanics and the use of tools and materials are but a few.
Provides a sport for those not interested or talented in athletics.
Affordable cost. The cost of building these boats are easily within the reach of fund raising possibilities.
Concept:
Teachers of the various disciplines would be invited to contribute their expertise in the role of advisors and would be encouraged to use the project in their classroom.
Examples:
Physics-how a boat sails, relationship of design elements
Geometry- shapes, volume etc.
History- model yachting history, how the Americas cup racing reflected the society of the era. Hitler, so taken with model yachting, pulled some of his best naval architects from military to design them. In 1936 a Massachusetts shop teacher named John Black won the first race in Berlin in races in conjunction with the 1936 Olympics with a boat he designed and made called the Cheerio I.
Sociology- going from agricultural to industrial, how model yachting played a role.
Each year two teams be formed, perhaps juniors and seniors. Each team would consider the design aspects of the "J" boat. Once the design concepts were understood, each team, using the plans and instructions from the "J" program, would make a plug. Modifications could be made to customize the boat according to the conclusions arrived at in the design phase of the program.
Once the plug had been made, a mold and hull would be created.
A single plug and mold could be made that could be used for both teams and future teams, if the rules of the club were that modifications to the boats would have to be made from a single hull design.
Once the mold had been created, each team would lay up a hull and finish the boat off.
In the spring each team would vote on which member of their team had contributed the most, other considerations might be scholastic standing, leadership etc.
A series of races would be held between the two teams and the two boats to determine which team and which boat was the best. If there were other schools in the area, a competition between schools would be possible.
At the end of the year, the person voted to be most worthy in best team would be awarded the loosing boat. The best boat would be kept by the sailing club to be used by the members of the club.
The school would maintain an Americas cup type trophy.
You are invited to contribute your ideas for programs. We need your creativity, your experience and your wisdom. Dale Wenninger /#/ Pdwenn/#/comcast.net
Adult education programs and ideas
Building and sailing any of these boats is an ideal project for adults as individuals or in a group setting.
Using these boats as the basis for an adult education program offers many opportunities.
Mental and physical dexterity
Forward thinking and planning activity
Result orientated
Sense of community in group setting
You are invited to contribute your ideas for programs. We need your creativity, your experience and your wisdom. Dale Wenninger /#/ Pdwenn/#/comcast.net
Due to budget restraints and changing occupational needs, industrial arts programs in our public school systems are being drastically reduced or cut altogether. We, as a society, tend to gravitate toward specialization. The generalist, it seems has fallen out of favor. Concerned about the trend toward specialization, Victor Wessikopf at M.I.T. made the observation that: "An expert is someone who knows more and more about less and less, until finally he knows everything about nothing."
It is with that thought in mind that we suggest using the "J" boat for an extracurricular sailing club project. The "J" boat offers unique opportunities for a High School program:
The boats size is dramatic and lends itself well to group observation and competition.
The relationship of design to performance is easily demonstrated.
The building and sailing of these boats allows for cross-disciplinary opportunities, geometry, physics, computer aided design, industrial design, mechanics and the use of tools and materials are but a few.
Provides a sport for those not interested or talented in athletics.
Affordable cost. The cost of building these boats are easily within the reach of fund raising possibilities.
Concept:
Teachers of the various disciplines would be invited to contribute their expertise in the role of advisors and would be encouraged to use the project in their classroom.
Examples:
Physics-how a boat sails, relationship of design elements
Geometry- shapes, volume etc.
History- model yachting history, how the Americas cup racing reflected the society of the era. Hitler, so taken with model yachting, pulled some of his best naval architects from military to design them. In 1936 a Massachusetts shop teacher named John Black won the first race in Berlin in races in conjunction with the 1936 Olympics with a boat he designed and made called the Cheerio I.
Sociology- going from agricultural to industrial, how model yachting played a role.
Each year two teams be formed, perhaps juniors and seniors. Each team would consider the design aspects of the "J" boat. Once the design concepts were understood, each team, using the plans and instructions from the "J" program, would make a plug. Modifications could be made to customize the boat according to the conclusions arrived at in the design phase of the program.
Once the plug had been made, a mold and hull would be created.
A single plug and mold could be made that could be used for both teams and future teams, if the rules of the club were that modifications to the boats would have to be made from a single hull design.
Once the mold had been created, each team would lay up a hull and finish the boat off.
In the spring each team would vote on which member of their team had contributed the most, other considerations might be scholastic standing, leadership etc.
A series of races would be held between the two teams and the two boats to determine which team and which boat was the best. If there were other schools in the area, a competition between schools would be possible.
At the end of the year, the person voted to be most worthy in best team would be awarded the loosing boat. The best boat would be kept by the sailing club to be used by the members of the club.
The school would maintain an Americas cup type trophy.
You are invited to contribute your ideas for programs. We need your creativity, your experience and your wisdom. Dale Wenninger /#/ Pdwenn/#/comcast.net
Adult education programs and ideas
Building and sailing any of these boats is an ideal project for adults as individuals or in a group setting.
Using these boats as the basis for an adult education program offers many opportunities.
Mental and physical dexterity
Forward thinking and planning activity
Result orientated
Sense of community in group setting
You are invited to contribute your ideas for programs. We need your creativity, your experience and your wisdom. Dale Wenninger /#/ Pdwenn/#/comcast.net