Physics teaching and the art of motorcar mechanics

I’ve just bought a new car and thought I’d use the opportunity to use my experience with car restoration as an example of the concept of being a lifelong learner and doing it online. It’s a TR2, a real beauty but it needs some care and attention. It’s not my first restoration, my journey began 3 years ago with a triumph spitfire. I built a kit car 40 years ago so I know about cars but restoration is a whole new ball game.

Why did I want to do it? Simply to see if I could.

What skills did I have? I understand the principles of how the different parts work and can follow the Haynes manual. I know how to use a Voltmeter to check circuits.

What did I need to know? How to weld, how to spray paint, how to bend metal, upholstery and lots of other stuff that I didn’t know at the time.

What did I do? First I went online and found some mentors, Chris Fisher and Elin Yakov. Both have youtube channels, I made personal contact. Joined the facebook group “triumph spitfire restoration support” and introduced myself. Built a network.

Then I started, every time I came across a problem I would ask the support group, they are all people like me, sometimes you get the wrong advice but hive thinking is powerful, the right solution always gets support. Before long I was also answering questions. It makes you feel good. Some stuff is difficult to learn online, a neighbour got me started with the welding and my paint prep leaves something to be desired but the car is finished (almost), it’s not perfect but I did it all myself.

So, onto the next one. More skills to utilise but still a lot to learn.

How does this impact on our physics classes? The importance of motivation, having a mentor and peer support, however the most important thing is that there would be no point in learning to restore a spitfire without actually restoring one, students need things to do.