Butler’s 2008 Bodies and Engines Kids College TEAMS Academy

The Butler Community College Kid’s College TEAMS Academy offered Bodies and Engines this year from June, 9 to 13. The Butler Collision Repair program helped Susan Howell offer sixth through eighth grade students’ explore career opportunities in automotive and collision repair industry.

While learning about all of the different careers available, the students also had a week packed with learning activities and a lot of fun. They learned about metal repair, body fillers, welding, primer application, block sanding, masking and painting. In addition to collision repair, they also learned about electricity, vehicle inspections, car care tips, and how to change a tire if stranded on the side of the road.

The students competed in a competition that measured their hammer striking accuracy and skills. Nick Whitaker won this competition and was awarded a prize and certificate for his efforts.

Best Mannered Auto Body Man

We feel behavior and conduct should never go unnoticed or unrecognized. This was a very hard decision for the instructors to make. However, after much collaboration the instructor agreed to select Tanner Blubaugh to be awarded our best behavior and conduct award.

Best Daily Journal Award

Well, that is enough of me telling you what they learned. Why don’t we let the students tell you what they learned? The instructors selected Alex Meek to have best daily journal. Below is one of Alex’s daily journals he wrote. Alex was given a tool set as a prize and a certificate for all of his hard work and efforts.

This journal was written on Friday 6-13/08.
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Tell us what you’ve learned during the Bodies and Engines 2008 Kids College:
By Alex Meek

I have learned a bunch of interesting stuff this week. So much, in fact, that I’ll split my journal into days. Here goes:

Day 1:
Today I was introduced to some new teachers: Cody, Devin, Donnie, and Jenni. I also learned how to use a hammer and dolly. Thanks to Devin, my panel looked like it went through war (no offence). I also learned some about Henry Ford, like he didn’t invent the first electric car.

Day 2:
On Tuesday we experimented with Bondo and welding. When we poured Bondo on my dinged up panel, and let it dry, it looked as good as new! Welding was educational, also. If you stare into the flame without a mask, when you go to bed that night, your eyes wont open.

Day 3:
Today was the best day of the week. We traveled to Bigdog Motorcycles in Wichita, and we were taught about how motorcycles were made. We also went into the warehouse with $2 million worth of motorcycles in it! I said, “Are we dead ‘cause I’m in heaven!” Did you know the largest motor they’ve built was just over 1,900 cc!!!

Day 4:
On Thursday we did this experiment with potatoes to see how many volts we could get with copper wiring. We also primed and painted our panels.

Day 5:
On this very last day, so far, we had guest speaker named Loretta Patterson who talked to us about applications. We went to the computer lab and explored some car websites.

THIS WEEK HAS BEEN GREAT!
THANKS FOR THIS WONDERFUL WEEK!

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Wow! Great job Alex; wouldn’t you agree?

I would like to give a special thanks to the people involved to make this a successful Summer Kid’s College. Thanks to Susan Howell and her assistant Shelby. Also, BCC Collision Repair students Jenni Engelbrecht., Cody Leis, and Devin Olson. Great Job!

Below are a few of the videos we discussed this training can lead to.

If you would like additional information about how you can get the proper training to pursue a career in collision repair or related careers feel free to contact me.

Donnie Smith
Collision Repair Instructor
[email protected]
316-323-6890