Hey all,
We received this question on facebook:
“Is there a class like high school where we can do our own projects but have a teacher around to help us figure out steps and tools?”
Is there anyone interested in running something similar? I think this could help drive membership, but is well outside what we do right now.
Would that be something along the lines of the “Open Sew” that is currently done? Maybe there is demand out there and need to do it in other areas.
Did they share what type of project they had?
I am not opposed to this and tried it in the woodshop every week for months and had very little interest. I’m not sure about starting again. We have had open jewelry and forge nights as well with varied but not sustained results.
Yes indeed, here is a reply to the post:
Maybe it’s even open hours with a designated support person in a particular department?
I have a million ideas I want to implement, particularly related to multi-function custom furniture for small spaces. Odd size cabinetry, folding/collapsible furniture, pop-up bed frames, etc.
I need a design buddy to help me figure out the best way to engineer the functions, with wood or metal, considering structural integrity, cost, and sustainability.
Then I need to figure out which tools I will need to use. My power tools and table saw at home are pretty basic. I can’t do complicated miter cuts or joinery. I would love to use the CNC at some point for pieces that can be replicated.
Self-determined project-based learning is really key for a lot of populations.
I have many friends (and former students) who could do a lot of creating with a bit of support.
If you can get one of the folks that teach “carpentry math” for career amd technical education, I bet it would be a hit for a lot of students that struggle with traditional math.
At our non-profit middle/high school academy for neurodivergent populations we had fun classes that taught geometry using carpentry, sewing, and other 3-d materials.
The state of math education is in a national crisis. Maker spacers can be one fix!
While I think that all of this might be more than we can reasonably offer at the moment, having someone around and interested in helping with the very basics would be great.
I remember that. Maybe we could trial it as a once-a-month thing, and instead of just letting folks know here, we could also post it on calendars and socials?
Haha, this person sounds fun!
There is a vast amount of knowledge within this group of folks, maybe we have another way to market ourselves here. If we have a member with engineering experience, tool and die background, welder that could be mentioned. Not who they are but that we have the members and they could help with projects.
They also bring up a second possibly option that would be a bit more complex logistically, could we work with home school programs potentially gaining more members there?
