Things sure have changed. I was an industrial arts student myself. Crafts in 7th grade (including grinders, drill press, lathes, etc); algebra, woodshop in 8th; metalshop in 9th; metalshop II, plane geometry in 10th; radioshop, autoshop, mechanical drawing in 11th, 2nd year algebra in 12th. Had working knowledge and experience of all common hand tools, power tools, welders, etc, and basic electronics, schematics, wiring and radio while in school. Learned trigonometry and more advanced electronics and communications systems in the navy.
Absolutely but not so today, if a kid works in a fast food establishment , he can’t even operate the deep fryer unless he is 18. We need to quit pampering our teenagers like babies but the existing law won’t allow it. We need to start educating our youth what is available before they are lost to the gangs and street culture but federal law prohibits it.
Sounds like you went to the same junior high and high schools I went to.
Aso had FFA, I raised cattle.