Bicycling class in high school
10-31-23, 07:53 AM
#76
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Have you been in a highschool recently? They are just making TikTok’s and stuff instead of learning, and much of what they are taught is bogus to begin with. A bicycle mechanics class would be a great use of time compared to most of the BS.
I live in an affluent area and the high schools around here have bicycle racing sports teams where the kids are all on fancy bikes. I doubt they maintain them themselves.
more to the point, the powers that be don’t want us to fix things, forced obsolescence etc etc, so they would never allow a bicycle mechanics class in schools. It’s antithetical to their goals.
I live in an affluent area and the high schools around here have bicycle racing sports teams where the kids are all on fancy bikes. I doubt they maintain them themselves.
more to the point, the powers that be don’t want us to fix things, forced obsolescence etc etc, so they would never allow a bicycle mechanics class in schools. It’s antithetical to their goals.
10-31-23, 08:22 AM
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Yes, everyone knows that Trek and Specialized control school curricula.
10-31-23, 08:41 AM
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I haven't read every post, but many folks implicitly treat time as limitless...But adding something to the curriculum would require cutting something else. So, for you folks arguing that bicycle repair should be added, please tell us what should be cut back. Math and science? Writing? Government?
You can do it 2 ways.
1- As discussed, this could be a section within a class. It deals with applied physics and math, so it could be worked into a core subject(science or math). Both subjects frequently have sections that last 2 to 3 weeks and involve outside tools/props/equipment for applied learning.
2- Much of what HS students take each day isnt part of the core class schedule. This could easily be made an elective- whether as a full class or a section within an elective called 'Applied Mechanics' or something like that.
My school district requires students to have 23 credits in order to graduate. 3 in Social studies(US Hist, US Gov, Econ or Micro, Financial Literacy, Social Studies), 4 in English, 3 in Math with only Algebra 1 as the highest level needed, 3 in Science, 1.5 in Fine Arts, 1 in PE, and 7.5 in Electives.
So a full 1/3 of required credits to graduate are just Electives- which is exactly where a class like this could go. Further, many kids are able to take more electives due to accelerated classes where they knock out Bio and Chem in the same year, for example.
Heck, there are 2 Marine Biology classes, 9 Aviation classes, and 5 Agriscience classes(greenhouse production, vet sciences, livestock management, etc) that take place outside traditional classroooms. They have time for an elective Applied Mechanics class- it could just be yet another elective or a section within an already existing subject/class.
10-31-23, 08:49 AM
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Its high school- core subjects dont need to be dropped for bike maintenance to exist.
You can do it 2 ways.
1- As discussed, this could be a section within a class. It deals with applied physics and math, so it could be worked into a core subject(science or math). Both subjects frequently have sections that last 2 to 3 weeks and involve outside tools/props/equipment for applied learning.
2- Much of what HS students take each day isnt part of the core class schedule. This could easily be made an elective- whether as a full class or a section within an elective called 'Applied Mechanics' or something like that.
My school district requires students to have 23 credits in order to graduate. 3 in Social studies(US Hist, US Gov, Econ or Micro, Financial Literacy, Social Studies), 4 in English, 3 in Math with only Algebra 1 as the highest level needed, 3 in Science, 1.5 in Fine Arts, 1 in PE, and 7.5 in Electives.
So a full 1/3 of required credits to graduate are just Electives- which is exactly where a class like this could go. Further, many kids are able to take more electives due to accelerated classes where they knock out Bio and Chem in the same year, for example.
Heck, there are 2 Marine Biology classes, 9 Aviation classes, and 5 Agriscience classes(greenhouse production, vet sciences, livestock management, etc) that take place outside traditional classroooms. They have time for an elective Applied Mechanics class- it could just be yet another elective or a section within an already existing subject/class.
You can do it 2 ways.
1- As discussed, this could be a section within a class. It deals with applied physics and math, so it could be worked into a core subject(science or math). Both subjects frequently have sections that last 2 to 3 weeks and involve outside tools/props/equipment for applied learning.
2- Much of what HS students take each day isnt part of the core class schedule. This could easily be made an elective- whether as a full class or a section within an elective called 'Applied Mechanics' or something like that.
My school district requires students to have 23 credits in order to graduate. 3 in Social studies(US Hist, US Gov, Econ or Micro, Financial Literacy, Social Studies), 4 in English, 3 in Math with only Algebra 1 as the highest level needed, 3 in Science, 1.5 in Fine Arts, 1 in PE, and 7.5 in Electives.
So a full 1/3 of required credits to graduate are just Electives- which is exactly where a class like this could go. Further, many kids are able to take more electives due to accelerated classes where they knock out Bio and Chem in the same year, for example.
Heck, there are 2 Marine Biology classes, 9 Aviation classes, and 5 Agriscience classes(greenhouse production, vet sciences, livestock management, etc) that take place outside traditional classroooms. They have time for an elective Applied Mechanics class- it could just be yet another elective or a section within an already existing subject/class.
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10-31-23, 09:33 AM
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10-31-23, 10:15 AM
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...so here's a story. It's a true story, but take it FWIW... We spent several thousand dollars buying the tools for a very basic, but solid, repair shop.
It worked for about four months, then the administration of the school shut it down over liability and insurance concerns. They just locked it up, and we never did get the tools back, to use at the bike co-op. It was sad, but I understand the concerns. I hope, at least, that some of the students were able to sneak in there and fix their own bikes after that. I don't really know, I kind of lost interest after that.
It worked for about four months, then the administration of the school shut it down over liability and insurance concerns. They just locked it up, and we never did get the tools back, to use at the bike co-op. It was sad, but I understand the concerns. I hope, at least, that some of the students were able to sneak in there and fix their own bikes after that. I don't really know, I kind of lost interest after that.
At least now I don't feel so badly about the whole episode. It was doomed from the beginning, by the powers that be.
I wonder how long it will be before they come for the co-op ? First they came for the Home Depot, and I said nothing...
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10-31-23, 10:51 AM
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Have you been in a highschool recently? They are just making TikTok’s and stuff instead of learning, and much of what they are taught is bogus to begin with. A bicycle mechanics class would be a great use of time compared to most of the BS.
I live in an affluent area and the high schools around here have bicycle racing sports teams where the kids are all on fancy bikes. I doubt they maintain them themselves.
more to the point, the powers that be don’t want us to fix things, forced obsolescence etc etc, so they would never allow a bicycle mechanics class in schools. It’s antithetical to their goals.
I live in an affluent area and the high schools around here have bicycle racing sports teams where the kids are all on fancy bikes. I doubt they maintain them themselves.
more to the point, the powers that be don’t want us to fix things, forced obsolescence etc etc, so they would never allow a bicycle mechanics class in schools. It’s antithetical to their goals.
As has been posted before - by myself and others - those kids on HS bike teams are learning about bike maintenance, and are actually doing it.
As for the "powers that be", it's nonsense. Bikes shops make better profit on parts and accessories than they do on complete bikes. Kids who know how to turn a wrench become customers who are buying tools, lubes, chains, cables, etc., and become the regular customers that keep a bike shop in business. When it's time to buy a new bike, those regular customers come to their favored shop first.
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Last edited by Eric F; 10-31-23 at 02:11 PM.
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10-31-23, 01:11 PM
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I am a person who has worked on and off in the bicycle industry at the retail and distributorship level since I was a young adult. I was, at various times able to support myself, my family, and later on to supplement my retirement income. It has been said that the best way to make a fortune in the cycling industry is to start with a bigger one
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10-31-23, 07:41 PM
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Assumptions without actual knowledge...are you related to Wolfy?
As has been posted before - by myself and others - those kids on HS bike teams are learning about bike maintenance, and are actually doing it.
As for the "powers that be", it's nonsense. Bikes shops make better profit on parts and accessories than they do on complete bikes. Kids who know how to turn a wrench become customers who are buying tools, lubes, chains, cables, etc., and become the regular customers that keep a bike shop in business. When it's time to buy a new bike, those regular customers come to their favored shop first.
As has been posted before - by myself and others - those kids on HS bike teams are learning about bike maintenance, and are actually doing it.
As for the "powers that be", it's nonsense. Bikes shops make better profit on parts and accessories than they do on complete bikes. Kids who know how to turn a wrench become customers who are buying tools, lubes, chains, cables, etc., and become the regular customers that keep a bike shop in business. When it's time to buy a new bike, those regular customers come to their favored shop first.
10-31-23, 08:54 PM
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10-31-23, 10:35 PM
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These are actual classes kids can and do take in high school.
Yet you claim that 'they' don't want people to learn how to turn wrenches.
11-01-23, 01:51 AM
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I haven't read every post, but many folks implicitly treat time as limitless...But adding something to the curriculum would require cutting something else. So, for you folks arguing that bicycle repair should be added, please tell us what should be cut back. Math and science? Writing? Government?
When I was in Jr High there was such a thing but it was during PE. They taught basic handling skills, some maintenance and they even had an police officer explaining bike safety and rules of the road. I still have the book somewhere from 40 years ago. FWIW this was in Halifax Nova Scotia, Canada.
11-01-23, 02:19 AM
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How do you explain away all the classes kids can take that teach them to fix vehicles, install and fix plumbing, run and maintain electrical systems, etc?
These are actual classes kids can and do take in high school.
Yet you claim that 'they' don't want people to learn how to turn wrenches.
These are actual classes kids can and do take in high school.
Yet you claim that 'they' don't want people to learn how to turn wrenches.
11-01-23, 05:58 AM
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You don't know anything about the various curricula offered in the various types of schools even just here in North America (where you could understand the language, which would make research easy---but hey, you aren't a scientist. You don't do research.)
I know there are vocational/technical high schools that Specialize in teaching kids to wrench, on all sorts of devices. Plus, I see ads for all kinds of tech specialty schools. And I don't actually go looking ... this is stuff which I happen upon randomly. If I actually spent ten minutes with Google ....
Basically ... you are just making up stuff.
Stick to trying to ride your bike like a cartoon character. You have a better future there.
11-01-23, 07:03 AM
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How do you explain away all the classes kids can take that teach them to fix vehicles, install and fix plumbing, run and maintain electrical systems, etc?
These are actual classes kids can and do take in high school.
Yet you claim that 'they' don't want people to learn how to turn wrenches.
These are actual classes kids can and do take in high school.
Yet you claim that 'they' don't want people to learn how to turn wrenches.
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11-01-23, 09:39 AM
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11-01-23, 02:03 PM
#93
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As for being a shadow of their former selves, what does that mean? Like, how can you possibly know the curriculum for all those classes/subjects I mentioned, and also know how they used to be 'back in the day'?
Clown gonna clown.
11-01-23, 02:37 PM
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@LarrySellerz ... sorry, but since you admit to being pretty ignorant and incompetent ... I cannot take you as an authority.
You don't know anything about the various curricula offered in the various types of schools even just here in North America (where you could understand the language, which would make research easy---but hey, you aren't a scientist. You don't do research.)
I know there are vocational/technical high schools that Specialize in teaching kids to wrench, on all sorts of devices. Plus, I see ads for all kinds of tech specialty schools. And I don't actually go looking ... this is stuff which I happen upon randomly. If I actually spent ten minutes with Google ....
Basically ... you are just making up stuff.
Stick to trying to ride your bike like a cartoon character. You have a better future there.
You don't know anything about the various curricula offered in the various types of schools even just here in North America (where you could understand the language, which would make research easy---but hey, you aren't a scientist. You don't do research.)
I know there are vocational/technical high schools that Specialize in teaching kids to wrench, on all sorts of devices. Plus, I see ads for all kinds of tech specialty schools. And I don't actually go looking ... this is stuff which I happen upon randomly. If I actually spent ten minutes with Google ....
Basically ... you are just making up stuff.
Stick to trying to ride your bike like a cartoon character. You have a better future there.
11-01-23, 03:03 PM
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asking someone who “they” are is counterproductive. There is a reason the term is nebulous. They = The Powers That Be. Trying to define it more than that often leads to infighting and missing the forrest for the trees.
11-01-23, 03:04 PM
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LBSs in my area host maintenance clinics for the local HS MTB teams. They are, literally, teaching kids how to turn wrenches. It's good for business.
I'm not guessing about this.
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11-01-23, 03:09 PM
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Thank you for confirming that you have no idea what you're talking about.
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11-01-23, 03:20 PM
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Have been skimming this thread for a few days.
I'm a cabinetmaker by trade. At the age of 42, It came to me that it was hard work and low pay and unhealthy. I took a job teaching home building at one of the tech centers in Vermont, won't go into the details. That also was stressful as building homes with 20 kids alone was hard work. Eventually transferred to another school and became a Tech Ed teacher, but it was really Woodshop. This school gave a required fine arts credit for my class, so if a kid didn't do band,chorus, art or dance then they came to me. I had great freedom to teach what I wanted and the program became a furniture making class with some design added so I could say with a straight face that they earned fine arts credits. I had kids that could barely read a tape measure alongside ones bound for ivy league or engineering schools, fun 15 years and my program was maxed out enrollment wise. Anyway, can't tell you how many parents came to me so impressed by what their kid had brought home asking if they had a future in the trade. I'd have to explain to them how I came to teaching. Program lasted for one more year after I retired and now does robotics I think.
A few of my thoughts,
Kids need to learn how things fit together and develop confidence that they can figure things out when pressed. This also impresses on them the value of community members that build bikes, homes, farms etc.
Kids need a break from the normal school day which is so institutionalized, lord its close to an asylum even in Vermont. One of my duties was monitoring in school suspension during lunch. Knew most of the kids there and couldn't believe that they were being thrown out of other classes and were loving time in mine, even being helpful to other students.
We had block scheduling, so 80 minute classes. This led me to think that the trades could be taught within a HS and not siphoned off to Vocational centers.
Mixing of classes is great, why shouldn't a phys ed mountain biking class not teach basic wrenching? An art class teach frame making. Why not teach derailleur adjusting in Spanish or French? MAKE IT FUN!!
HS is daycare to some degree so lighten up and realize that 7 hrs of the 3 r's just should not be the model .
Shutting up again...
I'm a cabinetmaker by trade. At the age of 42, It came to me that it was hard work and low pay and unhealthy. I took a job teaching home building at one of the tech centers in Vermont, won't go into the details. That also was stressful as building homes with 20 kids alone was hard work. Eventually transferred to another school and became a Tech Ed teacher, but it was really Woodshop. This school gave a required fine arts credit for my class, so if a kid didn't do band,chorus, art or dance then they came to me. I had great freedom to teach what I wanted and the program became a furniture making class with some design added so I could say with a straight face that they earned fine arts credits. I had kids that could barely read a tape measure alongside ones bound for ivy league or engineering schools, fun 15 years and my program was maxed out enrollment wise. Anyway, can't tell you how many parents came to me so impressed by what their kid had brought home asking if they had a future in the trade. I'd have to explain to them how I came to teaching. Program lasted for one more year after I retired and now does robotics I think.
A few of my thoughts,
Kids need to learn how things fit together and develop confidence that they can figure things out when pressed. This also impresses on them the value of community members that build bikes, homes, farms etc.
Kids need a break from the normal school day which is so institutionalized, lord its close to an asylum even in Vermont. One of my duties was monitoring in school suspension during lunch. Knew most of the kids there and couldn't believe that they were being thrown out of other classes and were loving time in mine, even being helpful to other students.
We had block scheduling, so 80 minute classes. This led me to think that the trades could be taught within a HS and not siphoned off to Vocational centers.
Mixing of classes is great, why shouldn't a phys ed mountain biking class not teach basic wrenching? An art class teach frame making. Why not teach derailleur adjusting in Spanish or French? MAKE IT FUN!!
HS is daycare to some degree so lighten up and realize that 7 hrs of the 3 r's just should not be the model .
Shutting up again...
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11-01-23, 03:46 PM
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Have been skimming this thread for a few days.
I'm a cabinetmaker by trade. At the age of 42, It came to me that it was hard work and low pay and unhealthy. I took a job teaching home building at one of the tech centers in Vermont, won't go into the details. That also was stressful as building homes with 20 kids alone was hard work. Eventually transferred to another school and became a Tech Ed teacher, but it was really Woodshop. This school gave a required fine arts credit for my class, so if a kid didn't do band,chorus, art or dance then they came to me. I had great freedom to teach what I wanted and the program became a furniture making class with some design added so I could say with a straight face that they earned fine arts credits. I had kids that could barely read a tape measure alongside ones bound for ivy league or engineering schools, fun 15 years and my program was maxed out enrollment wise. Anyway, can't tell you how many parents came to me so impressed by what their kid had brought home asking if they had a future in the trade. I'd have to explain to them how I came to teaching. Program lasted for one more year after I retired and now does robotics I think.
A few of my thoughts,
Kids need to learn how things fit together and develop confidence that they can figure things out when pressed. This also impresses on them the value of community members that build bikes, homes, farms etc.
Kids need a break from the normal school day which is so institutionalized, lord its close to an asylum even in Vermont. One of my duties was monitoring in school suspension during lunch. Knew most of the kids there and couldn't believe that they were being thrown out of other classes and were loving time in mine, even being helpful to other students.
We had block scheduling, so 80 minute classes. This led me to think that the trades could be taught within a HS and not siphoned off to Vocational centers.
Mixing of classes is great, why shouldn't a phys ed mountain biking class not teach basic wrenching? An art class teach frame making. Why not teach derailleur adjusting in Spanish or French? MAKE IT FUN!!
HS is daycare to some degree so lighten up and realize that 7 hrs of the 3 r's just should not be the model .
Shutting up again...
I'm a cabinetmaker by trade. At the age of 42, It came to me that it was hard work and low pay and unhealthy. I took a job teaching home building at one of the tech centers in Vermont, won't go into the details. That also was stressful as building homes with 20 kids alone was hard work. Eventually transferred to another school and became a Tech Ed teacher, but it was really Woodshop. This school gave a required fine arts credit for my class, so if a kid didn't do band,chorus, art or dance then they came to me. I had great freedom to teach what I wanted and the program became a furniture making class with some design added so I could say with a straight face that they earned fine arts credits. I had kids that could barely read a tape measure alongside ones bound for ivy league or engineering schools, fun 15 years and my program was maxed out enrollment wise. Anyway, can't tell you how many parents came to me so impressed by what their kid had brought home asking if they had a future in the trade. I'd have to explain to them how I came to teaching. Program lasted for one more year after I retired and now does robotics I think.
A few of my thoughts,
Kids need to learn how things fit together and develop confidence that they can figure things out when pressed. This also impresses on them the value of community members that build bikes, homes, farms etc.
Kids need a break from the normal school day which is so institutionalized, lord its close to an asylum even in Vermont. One of my duties was monitoring in school suspension during lunch. Knew most of the kids there and couldn't believe that they were being thrown out of other classes and were loving time in mine, even being helpful to other students.
We had block scheduling, so 80 minute classes. This led me to think that the trades could be taught within a HS and not siphoned off to Vocational centers.
Mixing of classes is great, why shouldn't a phys ed mountain biking class not teach basic wrenching? An art class teach frame making. Why not teach derailleur adjusting in Spanish or French? MAKE IT FUN!!
HS is daycare to some degree so lighten up and realize that 7 hrs of the 3 r's just should not be the model .
Shutting up again...
A good friend (and long-time cycling buddy) of mine runs a custom cabinet-making and woodworking business. It's been pretty successful for him. He has also made a habit of hiring young folks to work with him. They learn to use tools and about the life of working in a craft trade. For some, it's not a fit. For others, it opens up a world of possibilities they didn't really think about. My kid was one of the second group. After a freshman year at a large university, struggling to find a meaningful academic path, my kid spent the summer sweeping floors, sanding cabinets, and assisting with the installation of some really amazing work...and loved it. It changed the perspective on the path ahead, and clarified that an academic track to a career as a white-collar professional sounds miserable. For many young folks, a 4-year college degree is the right choice. For my kid, it is not. At least not right now.
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"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
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11-01-23, 04:26 PM
#100
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
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