The Future of Auto/Diesel?

This week we once again did not turn a wrench, instead we invested a little time in the future generation of automotive and diesel mechanics.

In place of our Thursday class, we parked the 2016 Freightliner on loan to us from Matheny Truck Center outside the Arts and Sciences building, and I helped my class mate, Brittany Reed, introduce the truck, and the opportunities available in truck repair as a career path, to several groups of 7th and 8th graders. We also had another truck in our shop and out-of-chassis running engines to show them.

The truck we introduced the 7th and 8th graders to, 2016 Freightliner.

Another truck they got to play around with.

Baby Cummins, 37hp 3-cylinder diesel. They got to start it with a remote starter.

The big brother, Series 600 Cummins ISX. They got to rev it on the way out.

Some reflection this week:

These kids are the next generation of potential automotive and diesel mechanics. They are being introduced to the opportunities of this career path, and how to get started on that path. The level of engagement from these students was astounding. We opened a valve on one of the air tanks and let them find the air leak, which they did very quickly. Some of them had a lot of good and interesting questions.

These are opportunities and ideas I wish I had been introduced to at their age. One can only hope that they will take full advantage!