Crank It Up
Grades 3-5
Youth focus on basic small engine knowledge, study external engine parts, discover tools of the trade and learn the concepts behind what makes small engines work. They explore the uses of small engines and safety issues.
Warm It Up
Grades 6-8
Youth explore internal parts of engines, learn about engine sizes, compression ratios, seasoning their engines and safety issues. Youth also learn about occupational possibilities and about starting their own business.
Tune It Up
Grades 9-12
Youth tear down and rebuild an engine, use diagnostic tools, research rules and regulations about using small engine machines and select replacement engines.
Helper's Guide
The Helper’s Guide includes group activities, helpful hints for each activity in the three youth guides and additional small engine project meeting ideas.
Project Information
BULLET LIST
Using the experiential learning model: A description of the model is provided.
Learning skills for life: Each activity has a life skill which is provided.
Development characteristics of youth: The characteristics of the three grade levels are described to provide the helper with improved understanding how these youth learn.
Community service: The benefits of the learner doing something with small engine equipment in the community are provided.
Working youth: Practical suggestions are provided to assist in creating a good learning environment for the learner.
Document learning: Each guide has a page for the documentation of the learner’s progress in completing activities. Group Activities with Start Your Engine.
Helpful helper’s hints: Hints are provided for all activities in all guides.
Small engine project meeting ideas: Meeting ideas include the following areas: careers, recreational, safety and environment, energy sources, small engine tools and testing.
Evaluating the impact: A before and after evaluation grid for the activities is provided to evaluate the curriculum outcomes.
Resources: a list of books, magazines and web sites is provided as source of additional information.
Educator Resource
Educational Standards have been identified for each activity. A list of standards is provided in the Helper’s Guide, page 4. Each activity description has the assigned standard listed. Click here for a PDF of the Education Standards.
The Small Engine materials were created to be used in many different delivery methods. The activities can be easily modified to work in an after school program, classroom or home school environment. Youth have the opportunity to be self-directed when working on each activity or work with assistance from a project leader, teacher or parent. In Start Your Engines!, youth will develop several important life skills through their involvement in fun and challenging small engine related learning by doing experiences.
Project Workshop Training Outline
The following is an example of a training outline:
l. Engine Uses
A. Lawn and Garden
B. Recreation
C. Other
ll. Engine Basics
A. Engine Construction
B. Service and Maintenance
lll. Small Engine Equipment Safety and Environmental Concerns
lV. Small Engine Related Opportunities
A. Careers
B. Business
Web Resources
Associations and Institutes
A trade association of the oil and gas industry. A member driven organization which is a major research institute providing a unified industry voice.
Professional society for engineering in agriculture, food and biological systems.
This association provides for an exchange of business and technical ideas and information for landscape contractors.
A professional organization for men and women who manage and maintain golf courses.
Provides lawn care tips and has a newsletter.
Provides information on yard care, mower maintenance, safety at their cyberlawn site.
The Professional Lawn Care Association of America and Association of Landscape Contractors of America joined together to form this network.
A non-profit educational and scientific organization dedicated to advancing mobility to better serve humanity.
Education, Science, Fun Sites
Site shows an animation of the four stroke internal combustion engine.
Provides a large variety of information. A search of small engines will provide many opportunities to find additional information.
For younger learners in this project, the site provides a game on yard safety among other fun activities.
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