Toolmen In Training

Program Overview

· We Are: An independent non-profit providing after-school and homeschool mentorship for youth and young adults seeking to develop toolmanship skills.

· What We Teach: Hands-on toolmanship, preparing students for careers in skilled trades, engineering, or a self-reliant approach to solving mechanical problems.

· Toolmanship: The art and skill of using tools, understanding mechanical concepts and being mechanically self-reliant.

· Underlying Themes: Also includes numerous underlying topics including professional behavior, good values, duty to help others, self-esteem, and general preparation for adulthood.

· Age Range: 12 years old and up.

· Lesson Structure: Learning is done through one-on-one mentoring.

· Grades: No grades or certification. Learning is hands-on and mentor-driven, similar to spending an afternoon with a skilled grandparent.

· Topics: A broad range of topics including: hand tools, power tools, machinery, mechanical concepts, fasteners & connection methods, workshop disciplines, safety, critical thinking, etc.

· Subject Area: Automotive, plumbing, electrical, bicycles, appliances, small engines, carpentry, HVAC, household & garage items, etc.

· Continuum: Repairs, Maintenance, Alterations, Fabrication, Problem Solving, Solution Design.

· Required Lessons: The first three structured lessons are required to establish foundational skills.

· Curriculum: Follow our suggested lesson sequence by default or dynamically customize a lesson sequence based on your student’s interest or needs.

· Structured Lessons: Guided hands-on experience focused on select topics and subject areas with planned learning objectives.

· Practice Lessons: Unstructured and exploratory hands-on experiences in a variety of opportunities across any topics, subject areas and toolmanship continuum.