At a Glance
Students in the Auto Collision program at Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School use bowling pins obtained from a local bowling alley to practice car restoration skills, such as sanding, priming, painting, and applying decals and clearcoat.
Overview
The Auto Collision instructor obtains used bowling pins so that students can continue to develop and apply the skills needed to restore cars even when there are no live work projects available in the shop or if they have a substitute teacher. By using the bowling pins, students are able to practice many of the same skills needed to restore cars. They sand, prime, and paint them and also apply decals and clearcoat to them.
Students can complete one bowling pin a year and can show their projects to potential employers to demonstrate their skill level.
Origin / Implementation
The Auto Collision instructor has been using the bowling pins in his classroom since 2008. He first had the idea to use them for additional skill practice when he saw some redesigned pins at a craft show. He is friends with the owner of a local bowling alley who gives him old pins for students to use.
Results / Impact
At this time, the instructor plans to continue using the bowling pins to provide students additional practice.
Contact
Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School
Dave Peters, Auto Collision Instructor
petersd@butlertec.us
