Re: Model Engineer magazine - The future

On Sun, 29 Jan 2006 16:16:55 +0000 (GMT), Donald <scolmor@xxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

>
>
>
> Mine arrived here on South Uist a couple of days ago together with
>something from the new owners.
>
>Myself, I would prefer it to come out only once a month, A4 size, decent
>thickness of paper and that which is now MEW be incorporated in the one
>magazine. Cover price say £3.25.
>
>Given that in the Britain of today an "Engineer" is a thing of the past,
>present company excepted, the "Model Engineer magazine" faces an uncertain
>future. Well I think so.
>
>On the couple or so bookshelves on this island magazines such as "Old
>Glory" and some others about old tractors and old lorries seem to appeal
>to both the older and young generations A number of those here are
>actively engaged in restoration projects. They come to myself, now aged
>70+, to get things made, rebuilt or modified. Things they cannot do
>themselves.
>
>Young people today have no direct access to the "Model Engineer", "MEW" or
>"Engineering in Miniature". None of these appear on the bookshelves. Where
>else are they to find information on what is available, what they might
>need and how to do seemingly impossible tasks with limited resources.
>
>Is a New title needed.
>
>Enough said, any ideas?
>
I think most of the problem stems from the recent changes with regard
to access to information.
I used to subscribe to MEW years ago, and a number of other hobby
related mags ( Hi-Fi, aircraft, computers etc. ), but with the
explosion of the internet it became increasingly difficult to justify
the cost. Indeed, these days I only buy a computer magazine if there's
a really decent program included on the cover disk...if there's
something I think I ought to know, it's out there on a web page
somewhere...or even just an email away.

When you add in forums such as ours, plus numerous others dotted about
the web, it becomes even easier to source material - even to the point
of other posters supplying raw materials and specific advice.

And it's not like kids these days are ambivalent about inspiration -
witness how popular such TV programmes as Robot Wars and Scrap Heap
Challenge have become to this generation.

If anything is needed at this point it's a 'champion'.
Dear old Fred Dibnah held the throne for many years - but whilst he
had undeniable appeal to a certain generation, he didn't quite have
the 'wow' factor that kids need.
No doubt there will be those quick to denounce such 'trivialities' -
but that comes out of an inability to connect with kids on their
level...and that's the very nub of the matter.
Fred certainly inspired people, and was boundless in his enthusiasm
and encouragement, but I rather feel his qualities worked better on
people who already had 'the bug'.
What's needed is a new champion, and the closest person we have to
that at the moment is Adam Hart-Davis...a man who combines clarity of
explanation alongside an exciting presentation. Kid's learn...and they
don't even realise it.
That takes skill, but in terms of getting down to the nitty-gritty of
engineering even Adam doesn't quite go far enough.

It might sound a bit like a title for a Monty Python sketch, but the
principle that has to be got across to kids is that 'engineering is
fun' - and I really think that's beyond the scope of a magazine,
especially these days when there are so many other things competing
for a child's attention.

Whilst we all sit and wait for a shiny media boffin to come along,
there are lots of things that can be done by those who already have
the necessary skills in engineering.
At the very least you can contact your local schools or education
authority and declare an interest in how they go about teaching the
subject to kids.
If you hear about a local school having to shut down its engineering
dept. - make a fuss about it, buttonhole the people who make the
decisions and make your voice heard.
Offer your services to schools. Plenty of schools run 'after school'
clubs which are often run or supported by volunteers - but can only do
so if there are enough people to supervise the club. As you might
imagine, a poetry club can get by with just the one person taking the
group, but an engineering shop's gonna need a few more pairs of hands.

Haven't got the time? No problem - there are lots of other ways in
which you can make yourself useful.
There's a guy lives in a nearby village who has a model railway set up
in his back garden. Once a year he holds an open day for the benefit
of the local primary school - and the kids love it.
He took time out to accompany a group of schoolkids on a visit to
Hollycombe Steam Collection last year...and really had the kids
enthralled with tales of how all the 'old fashioned' technology was
brand new and exciting to him when he was their age.
It's about sharing the knowledge, passing on the enthusiasm.

You might also consider taking a few hours off to go do a talk at a
school. I've done this a few times myself ( it's bloody scary
though...kids can be merciless! ) and it's a great way to show kids
what can be achieved with even a few skills.

It probably all sounds a bit piece-meal, but that doesn't mean it
won't make a difference.

Regards,



--
Stephen Howard - Woodwind repairs & period restorations
http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk
Emails to: showard{who is at}shwoodwind{dot}co{dot}uk
.

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