Real world learning
Learners get their hands dirty in LHS Auto Shop
Wearing their black and red uniforms, high school learners from Lindsay Unified School District were getting their hands dirty and turning wrenches Wednesday morning, trying to figure out the problem preventing a vehicle’s engine from starting.
The Automotive Systems and Repair Pathway at Lindsay High School, part of the Agriculture and Manufacturing Department, has taken learners’ education to a new level of hands-on instruction.
“About three years ago we decided to evolve our program into a fullon auto mechanic shop,” said John Boydston, LHS mechanical engineering and automobile technology instructor, who has been teaching the program for more than 25 years. “Now we are able to service autos districtwide.”
The auto shop provides services to vehicles throughout the district under the leadership of Boydston. He added that since the opening of the LHS autoshop, they have serviced about 10 to 12 vehicles a semester. The vehicle service request form can be found online at the LHS website.
The program entails a three-course sequence, in which learners start classes as freshmen or sophomores and are in-
troduced to how a vehicle works and how to perform basic service.
Learners start with Automotive Technology One, where they learn how to find their way around a vehicle, basic service, where to locate parts in a vehicle.
From there, learners move on to Automotive Technology Two, where they undertake more advanced projects like removing parts and changing filters.
Automotive Technology Three learners take on more advanced projects, where they change tires, fix brakes and are tasked with servicing vehicles that come in to the shop.
Some students take the course for four years, and during their fourth year they do more in-depth work and learn about the engine and technical service projects like diagnostics and car scanners.
Boydston mentioned one of the reasons he decided to open the pathway services district-wide is because he felt the need to give learners more realworld experience.
“Rather than just having them service any old car, I want them to actually do it on a customer’s vehicle,” Boyston said, adding learners practice and learn before they can actually service a customer’s car. “Its giving them that real-world feel.”
Auto Two and Three students were working on car engines Wednesday, trying to fix issues on multiple cars the school purchased for them to learn on.
“I have learned and gotten familiar with many of the tools we need to provide auto service,” said Andrew Vargas as he checked the engine on a car. “When I first came into the pathway I didn’t really know about cars, and now I am able to service them.”
Vargas said he enjoys the class, especially because he gets to use his knowledge on actual vehicles in need of repair.
Right next to Vargas, Vicente Lemus and Tino Garza were working together trying to start a vehicle and checking the engine as well.
“Today we are working on the spark plugs. We researched and learned how to change them, and now we are testing it on an actual car,” said Garza. “I have a car of my own and I have been working on it.”
Learners that are allowed to perform auto services are the advance classes like Automotive Technology Three and Four.
“We offer basic service like oil changes, filter service, tire rotations, brakes, headlight change — just basic routine maintenance,” said Boydston, adding that when learners get the forms and see what type of service the customer needs, they will go ahead and schedule an appointment. “It’s similar to how they would do it at a dealership or any other auto shop.”
LHS auto shop charges all district staff $30 for an oil and filter change, but that price varies depending on the type of vehicle. Windshield wiper replacement is $10, air filter replacements range from $30-$60, and prices vary for brake services and headlight or taillight replacements.
“I hope to continue to grow the ASR pathway and attract more people as the auto shop grows more confident so staff can get their cars serviced here,” said Boydston. “We might add on more services for learners to learn and do more in-depth work on vehicles.”
Boyston said they have not yet expanded the auto services to the public due to liability, but he likes the direction the pathway is going and would love to see it continue to grow.
“It has taken more than 20 years to get to this point, but demand for knowledgeable, skilled technicians is on the rise over the years,” added Boydston. “That’s a big impact for the leaners, and they’ll be more than ready for tech school it they decide to go in that direction.