All Greggs Fault.

[mhadman]

My kid recently showed his tech teacher a copy of the latest Model Cars Magazine.After seeing it,the teacher sent a note home asking if I could come in an discuss the relationship between model cars and their 1:1 counterparts.

The teacher is big into muscle cars and hot rods,and frequently throughout the year has local guys bring their rods into his shop to show the kids,and talk about the cars.

The teacher seemed impressed with my Chevy truck.He was into it,and now Friday it looks like I am going to give a class.He actually wants me there for all his classes form 8 A.M. on,but only having one day off this week,i will only be able to do a couple.

This ought to be fun.Any ideas on what kind of stuff I ought to bring or talk about?

In fact,having built models as a kid,It made me want to learn more about the inner workings of cars in general.By the time I was 10 I was elbows deep in helping rebuild a couple small block Chevy's,and helping with the regular maintainance jobs like brakes and such.

(No smart commentary about batteries from the peanut gallery)

[lordairgtar]

Take a completed model or two, a couple of kits to show what the un-started product looks like, reference material (books, mags) for researching your subject. A few supplies like paint , glue, hobby tools, to show what one needs to get started, a couple copies of Model Cars to pass around. Just tell your story about what interests you in the hobby and what you derive out of it. Maybe some enlarged photos showing the process of building. Plus a lovely assistant in a bikini...uh, just kidding on that part.

[Gregg]

My fault?

That's good to hear!!!!

That does bring up some good areas to discuss here.

How do you get kids involved, again?

I hate to say it, but when I was a kid, I built model airplanes, only.

My dad worked for the air force as a civi, so I had all kind of access to cool stuff.

I didn't get into cars until high school

Heh, I was at the beach everyday, who needed cars?

I would like to see other's comments on this post, ideas, etc.

I know there are some great after school clubs out there for kids

I've featured the one in Houston a few years ago, and there are many more

Let's hear it guys!

[ismaelg]

First of all THANKS for taking the time to do this. As I have said before: Ask not what the hobby can do for you, ask what you can do for your hobby....

You don't mention the ages but it seems they are not small children. It is too soon to plan a Make and Take but you can arrange one for the near future. It is important to show them how much work goes into your models, by taking an unbuilt kit or maybe an assembled unpainted kit (I think that is reffered as a ghost build) so they can see the difference. Go thru the general steps you took to get from this to this. But important as well is to show them they can start easy and have a great loking model without the frustration of early complications. Show them common tools used and how you can use household stuff so you don't have to buy expensive gear to get started. Talk about the huge diversity in kits offerings: from pre-painted snappers to mainstream to specialties like Model Factory Hiro and others; from easy to insane, but most importantly, that there is something for every taste they may have in vehicles. Old, new, muscle, racing etc. Don't limit yourself to talk about car models. Let them know aircraft, armor, ships, figures etc. are other areas of the hobby. Show them that modeling is not just for kids, as the majority of us are adults (at least in age) and the hobby keep us young at heart. Tell them success stories on how modeling can help you develop fine motor skills, how it can teach you a lot about the vehicles during the research and construction and how modeling has opened doors to us to meet race car drivers and builders, owners of real vehicles and even get a ride in a super cool car.

You can then talk about clubs, shows, the mag, the forum, GSL, NNLs etc.

You can make an outline of the topics so you don't miss anything.

But most importantly, show it is about having FUN!

Thanks,

[mhadman]

I just got off the phone with the teacher...I only have time for 2 classes.6th graders.

My plan is to bring an unstarted kit and lay out the pieces,and display it next to a built up version.

I will bring some of my other builds,from hot rods,to muscle cars,to some Nascar and desert racers,and also my kids WW2 builds.

I will also print out some pics from my computer to pass around from my diorama shots...Should be interesting.

Thanks for the suggestions...I might even try to see if there is interest in forming a club...Who knows..

[m408]

I just got off the phone with the teacher...I only have time for 2 classes.6th graders.

My plan is to bring an unstarted kit and lay out the pieces,and display it next to a built up version.

I will bring some of my other builds,from hot rods,to muscle cars,to some Nascar and desert racers,and also my kids WW2 builds.

I will also print out some pics from my computer to pass around from my diorama shots...Should be interesting.

Thanks for the suggestions...I might even try to see if there is interest in forming a club...Who knows..

Just a word of caution. 6th graders are old enough to realize their limitations. When showing your builds, you might want to stress how long it took you to develop the skill level that you now have. Maybe even show them one of your older builds so that they can see the progress that time and patience can achieve.

As an example. It would be hard for a 6th grader to see him or her self doing a double back flip that you demonstrate when they can hardly do a somersault.

Just my thought

[Andy Wyatt]

Man, how I wish I could sit in on this! Also...+ means positive, - means negative. Have fun and watch out for spitballs!

[MonoPed]

Mark, just leave the battery out of the kit, and for heaven's sake, don't try to teach those poor kids how to wire one up...