The Shop Rat Foundation
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WHAT IS OUR MISSION? WHAT DO WE DO? WHO IS THE SHOP RAT FOUNDATION? SHOPRAT EDUCATION PROGRAM SHOPRAT CAMP COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT WHAT IS OUR VISION? HOW CAN I HELP SUPPORT? PROGRAMS? CONTACT US |
What is Our Mission?
The Shop Rat Foundation is a 501 c 3 non-profit organization with a mission to advance the skilled trade industries by opening the minds of our youth by building unique and innovative projects from concept to completion.
Founded by Chris Salow, a manufacturing entrepreneur who saw the need to inspire the next generation of workers, the foundation was developed to provide hands-on educational opportunities to students who live in a society that is dissolving hands-on skilled trade education from school curriculum.
What Do We Do?
Shop Rat Education Programs
In 2006, The Shop Rat Foundation began the Shop Rat Education Program, an afterschool class for local 6-10th grade students to learn how to use tools and machinery to inspire them to further their education in the skilled trade industry, and/or to become more 'hands-on' dependant citizens. This is a fun project-based introductory course where kids build innovative and unique projects such as two-seat hovercrafts, electric wheelie cars, solar power mini cars, hydraulic robots and many more large and small projects. This provides them with the framework to understand and safely use tools and machinery, gain problem solving skills, and increase 'hands-on' confidence that will enable students to seek out further education in the skilled trade industry.
Shop Rat Camp
The Shop Rat Summer Camp is designed to open up the creative minds of our youth by building a series of unique and innovative projects using not only their hands, but their mind! In a week's period, students will complete up to ten Shop Rat projects that may include Wheelie Cars, Hot Air Balloons, Robots, Mousetrap Catapults and more! Students will rotate through sessions, learning and building these unique projects in a safe and creative environment that promotes ingenuity and innovation. The camp is located at the local Jackson Area Career Center so that students can see what classes are available to them in the future. This camp is made possible by the Shop Rat Foundation and the SME Education Foundation.
Community Involvement
Along with our locally led programming, we also offer both paid and un-paid assistance to other organizations or events that are holding Shop Rat Programs or using Shop Rat Projects who simply need assistance with holding hands-on projects. We enjoy helping the community out by sharing our projects and hands-on instruction at a variety of events. The more of our youth that we can impact the better! Examples of these include a Shop Rat Classes at Chelsea Middle School, Focus-Hope Shop Rat Classes (Detroit Schools) Hands-on Learning Fair, Big Brothers Big Sister Shop Rat Night, and other events that allow us to further our mission.
Project Curriculum Development
The Foundation is now developing and selling our project curriculum to other hands-on programs across the US as an avenue for funding. We have had success with our curriculum and want to share this so that educators can use these projects to recruit and retain students in the hands-on educational field. Our most infamous project is the Shop Rat Electric Wheelie Car. The Shop Rat Foundation has developed the Wheelie Car build to teach students STEM skills while using their hands and their mind to build this innovative project. The car features zero turn steering, electric motors, and dynamic braking. The Wheelie Car Kits come in different difficulty levels to consider Middle School, High School and College programs.
Who is the Shop Rat Foundation
The Shop Rat Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization guided by a Board of Directors made up of community leaders with very diverse backgrounds and interests. Its programs and activities are administered by Amanda Proctor, the Foundation's Executive Director. Please see the list below of the Shop Rat Foundation's Board of Directors:
| Board Position | Name | Association |
| President & Treasurer | Christopher Salow | CEO of Peak Manufacturing, Founder of Shop Rat Foundation |
| Chairman of the Board | Bart Aslin | Executive Director, SME Education Foundation |
| Secretary | Patty Horning | Principal, The Jackson Area Career Center |
| Director | Bill Rayl | Executive Director, Jackson Area Manufacturers Association |
| Director | Scott Brockie | Owner, Classic Metal Finishing's |
| Director | Camiel Thorrez | Owner, Thorrez Industries |
| Director | Connie Poisson | President, Junior Achievement of Michigan |
| Director | Sarah Hartzler | Community Relations Officer, South Central Michigan Works |
| Director | Phillip Curtis | Owner Curtis & Curtis PC |
What Is Our Dream? What Is Our Future Vision?
The Shop Rat Foundation would like for every child to have the opportunity to learn, create, build and innovate! We believe that all students should have the opportunity to be educated in the skilled trade industries and have an educational pipeline to follow if this is the career path that they should follow. We have a vision of Shop Rat Education Programs or other institutions across the United States teaching students how to use tools, machinery and other skills that will open their minds to the world of building and innovation! We want to change the perception of what a 'shoprat' is and we understand that this starts with the youth.. In a generation or two, we hope the skilled trades will be as respected as it once was. Lets' celebrate those who build the world around us!
How Can You Help Support These Programs?
The Shop Rat Foundation is also looking to partner with those who believe in what we do and support our mission. We cannot complete our mission alone, we need your help!
Donate
If you would like to donate to this 501 c 3 non profit charitable foundation please use the downloadable donation form
Sponsorship
If your business would like to sponsor the Shop Rat Foundation's Programs please see our sponsorship opportunities
Volunteer
If you would like to volunteer your time to help at Shop Rat Classes or events please call 517-769-2100 or email Amanda Proctor at shoprat@gmail.com.
Contact Us
Amanda Proctor, Executive Director
The Shop Rat Foundation
11855 Bunkerhill Road
Pleasant Lake, MI 49272
PHONE: 517-769-2100
FAX: 517-769-6902
EMAIL: shoprat@gmail.com
Web: www.shoprat.org
