Re: Writing a grant to buy a Stocker for our HS
 

Thanks Charlie! Sometimers setting in I guess...

Re: Writing a grant to buy a Stocker for our HS
 

I did see that show and enjoyed it. We don't have the automotive shop, tools, equipment to build a race car from scratch. We are fortunate enough to have a tiny (pardon the pun) small engines class that has a few hand tools and an extra bay in the shop we could store the car. Also, the kids I'm working with are very low income minorities that I honestly don't think would have the patience to stick with it if we did. My thinking is to buy something turn-key that someone else has already invested the time and money in building and sorting out. Plus, everyone knows you can buy an LT1 Stocker, for example, for about half of what is invested in them. Our kids would respond well to something that was done and they could see and hear right away. I know that's not the best way to go but kids are different today. I've been in education for almost 20 years and kids aren't patient anymore and don't know how to set goals and work persistently towards them. There is still a ton of teaching, motivation, and encouragement that can come from what we are proposing.

Re: Writing a grant to buy a Stocker for our HS
 

Don't just think about Math and Science. Some may not like working on the car, getting dirty or thinking about how it works. Others may like to think about the Marketing and Finance side of things, which could pull in more students and more faculty members. You could cover all bases with this type of program to keep everyone involved. If you want the board members to sign off on this then show them how it can affect everyone

You could easily build many teams to do the following:
Logistics
Inventory
Shipping and Receiving
Accounting
Marketing
Engineering
Tuning & General Maintenance (brakes, suspension etc...)

You get the idea and this could give everyone some great experience.


How many times do you see these shows on TV and see many of the kids standing around.




Thanks
Manny

Re: Writing a grant to buy a Stocker for our HS
 

I taught HS machine shop for several years. The first year I taught I was trying to teach about gear ratio's and come up with a chart showing gear ratio's vs. 1/4 mile performance.
I always had a couple kids that once they saw it and talked about it started to get the point and "a light clicked on" with them. Best job I ever had but also the most demanding.

Re: Writing a grant to buy a Stocker for our HS
 

Scott,
I tried to reply to your PM but it wouldn't go thru. I will send you the spec sheet and lots of photo's of the rebuild.
My e-mail address is bonzaproducts@att.net

Re: Writing a grant to buy a Stocker for our HS
 

Back in the late 90's I started a Highschool drag racing class at E-town. At that time I had been teaching for about 5 years and was very enthusiastic to promote and grow bracket racing with my students. It was mildly successful at best and the second my High school found out what we were doing, they shut any involvement with the school name down. Our school's lawyers made it very clear ......... drag racing and High school dont mix. It was very dissapointing to say the least and after a few years it just fell by the way side. In todays day and age I doubt any school district would seriously entertain a school owned and operated racecar. The liabilty would far outweigh any promotional or beneficial advertisement or benefits. Purchasing one with a grant further compounds the liability issues. I myself own a few race cars and I have been told on numerous occasions that my cars cannot be associated in any way with our school. Bringing them into school for maintanance or promotional reasons even seems to ruffle some feathers.
Obviously I wish you the best of luck, and hopefully you live in an area that actually encourages these type of things. Imagine teaching kids how to safely and responsibly enjoy drag racing............ What a concept.





bob

Re: Writing a grant to buy a Stocker for our HS
 

perfect > the US Government and nhra will love each other...

lets see
1. i cannot afford to race against the school car, thats descrimination so the ACLU will file suit on my behalf, and the governmement will be forced to support all racers.
2. i cannot compete with the school car, thats an unfair platform so the ACLU will gain control of the AHFS and factor all winners +50hp untill everyone has won one.
3. i am a female and the school car is driven more by the 30 boys in the class than by us two girls... title 9 says we get our own cars.
4. there is too much emphasis on winning and losing and can effect a students self confidence, therefore winning will not insure you of a win, there will, be other factors like your nationality, sex, class status and social upbringing for you final standings (grade)

jack

well at least the government is supporting something in our country not abroad !!!

Re: Writing a grant to buy a Stocker for our HS
 

UPDATE: Over the holidays I have been corresponding via email with our district curriculum director who will be the last person to sign-off on the grant and give us the go-ahead. After reading my proposal she is very excited about the possibilities this has for our students and wants to know what it will take to move ahead and have something in place soon. I have a meeting with her on Monday, January 2 when we return from Christmas break to finalize plans. I'm very optimistic this could become a reality and am keeping my fingers crossed.

Happy New Year's to all!

Re: Writing a grant to buy a Stocker for our HS
 

Well, believe it or not, I met with the assistant superintendent yesterday and she gave us the green light (pardon the pun) to purchase a car, enclosed trailer, and support equipment/tools to begin racing when the tracks open. :D Needless to say we are so excited about the possibilities this has for our young people. With the technology and tuning involved, as well as my background, I have decided to buy a late-model LT1 car. I've been looking at a couple on the market now. Time to decide which one to go with and get started.

Watch for us at the track. We'll be the group with a handful of teenagers walking around with HUGE eyes and GIANT smiles as it will be the first time at the track for all of them.

Scott

Re: Writing a grant to buy a Stocker for our HS
 

Big Congrats!!!!!!

Keep us posted on the progress and when you can, get the computer class to create a website for your "team".

So many teaching opportunities here.