Passing on the passion

[simon1966]

In the new spirit of the new positive, non-bashing atmosphere here[;)], I present my thoughts on how to get the next generation interested in model railroading and for that matter schoolwork!

My oldest son was in the 1st grade last year. Parents were asked to prepare a
1 hour class on any subject considered educational and interesting for the
kids. A sort of show and tell on steroids!!

My presentation was about Model RR and demonstrated how the hobby was
relevant to the following subjects:

Math: Geometry, measuring, simple calculations
History: Time period for the model
Geography: Location, contours
Biology: habitat creation like ponds etc.
Computers: DCC and PC control, also the use of PC's for forums like this.
Art: Backdrops and weathering, Scale, creating realism in models
Science: Electronics, electricity theory, use of chemicals
Shop: Benchwork
Economics: transportation and industry

I also talked about life skills that can be developed from this hobby such
as a love of reading, research, planning, budgeting and developing safety
habits. What I wanted to do was show the kids that this is a really fun hobby and that what they study in school may actually have some relevance outside the classroom. It was great fun to do as you can take along a great moving hands on show and tell.

Its a great hobby!!

[fiatfan]

Outstanding presentation! Did you get an A?

Tom

[Anonymous]

I think he deserves an A. I have also thought about how much this hobby has taught me. Another way to pass the passion is to teach railroading merit badge to a Boy Scout troop. This summer i got the ok from my old scoutmaster (who is also my father) to teach this merit badge. If I get one kid interested I feel I will have done a great thing.
Andrew

[Anonymous]

Model railroading is so much better than burning one's brain with drugs, at least the money put on the hobby will be for something useful and durable (than again, lost braincells do have a durable effect...)

[Anonymous]

Twice in the last few years, One of the teachers of the local high school has asked me to give a presentation about Geometry in Model Railroading. I tweak it each time and it gets better with each passing presentation.

I also want to build a christmas theme display and set it up in a public space that see's lots of traffic. but that is a few years off as of yet. I need to finish college and get caught up with my model buisness before I can do that.

James

[bcammack]

And it's marginally cheaper than drugs! :)

[cwclark]

I wrote an article in college on model railroading and got an A..first "A" I ever got in English Literature...guess I really got into the paper...and the Boy Scouts is a perfect place to teach "Railroading"...I just gave up a 8 years as Scoutmaster with troop 268 & 737 in La Porte and Deer Park, Texas a few months ago and yes..I was the Railroading Merit Badge councilor...The boys practically built my last layout and they did an excellent job on it...If you get the kids involved in these kind of things the drugs just don't look so encouraging to them....Chuck[:D]