Motorheads(Mechanics) Age 14-17 Block 1

This is all about understanding how systems / mechanisms work in common mechanical products such as domestic vehicles and equipment.

The course interacts specifically with garden machinery, a domestic car and an off-road buggy so as to diagnose faults, understand systems, maintain and if necessary repair it for safe operation. We shall also look at bodywork maintenance/repairing and customising (within reason . . )

Please note this is not an accredited course but a risk assessed exploration of technology by youngsters based on their interests and aptitude.
All activites are formulated and sanctioned individually in agreement with parents and are closely supervised at all times by our experienced Technology teacher/manager with 30 years experience of eductional technology and more years of vehicle maintenance and construction.
Access to the various activities takes into account safety at all times, the needs and capabilities of the child which may vary from time to time individually and as a group regardless of age, ethnicity or gender.
In all matters the judgment of the tutor is final. Deviation from acceptable conduct may result in discontinuation of the course without recourse.
The good news is that Motorheads remains injury and accident free since its inception because we work within the prescribed use of items by the manufacturer and we teach children to act responsibly and look out for one another.

Operation of machinery is key to understanding it's purpose and reasons for failure/wear and tear. This involves many sense ; sight, hearing, touch and even smell! Because we have very small groups we can cover correct and safe control of domestic equipment in their correct context and according to manufacturers instructions. The use of tools - the feel, the choice of tools for the job is important. Observational and diagnositc skills are invaluable to keeping machinery maintained as long as possible and these activities are highly valuable

The course includes:
-stripping down and rebuilding 4 stroke engine - typically a lawnmower engine.
-sourcing parts from www. to identify and remedy faults

• study/research the workings of engines to be able to perform basic maintenace in accordance with manufacturers instructions
• make aware of hazards etc of high voltages, chemicals, flammables so to inform and possibly deter a person from venturing too far into technology that is beyond their capability /safety.

Life /Enterprise skills for a modern world
This course includes the restoration /trouble shooting of donated products and their return to the owner/onward journey which may include the wording /graphics of a theoretical advert such as might be produced domestically for an item on an auction site. This involves research and is a good excercise for literacy and numeracy. We do not 'sell' nor guarentee products once we have worked on them but beneficiaries of our efforts in good faith are welcome to make a donation to our costs.

Past projects have included:
Model aero engines, mowers, leaf blowers, strimmers, ride on mowers without blades and a diesel saloon car which we have retained for use for modern vehicle studies such as diagnostics. We have an open framed two seater off-road buggy which we use for identifaction and maintenance of systems and subsystems. This may be operated under controlled conditions by suitably authorised personnel to demonstrate the operation of the vehicle and its systems.

Records
Students have the opportunity to keep a digital portfolio of works done for use when applying for engineering based courses. Our age 14+ conforms to traditional values regarding stature and responsibility but we treat each child as an individual.

In general you will learn:

• to be organised!
• to use terminology
• to expain your thoughts an ideas to another person
• to draw diagrams
• to work methodically, carefully and safely using workshop tools and processes
• how systems and sub-systems work
• to understand and maintain simple ic engines
• to diagnose and solve problems
• to source technical advice/parts from the www and purchase spare parts.
• to recognise identify and describe key components with correct terminology
• to compile a step by step account of your work including images, videos and text
• to operate mechanical products safely according to your age and ability.
• to perform calculated risk assessments for all activities
• controlling risks to an acceptable level or cease activity

This is a rare provision and numbers are strictly limited to 4.

This course is for Elective Home Educators.
If you are looking for EOTAS/WASP provision please get in touch to discuss options.