What's New
A Second Shop Rat Location Starting This Fall
posted on June 18th, 2008
Scott Brockie of Classic Turning has opened his doors to the Shop Rat Education Program and the Jackson middle school students who will be attending the program.
Starting this fall, Classic Turning's 2500 West Argyle facility (Old Aeroquip Building)will be the second location in Jackson County to offer Shop Rat Classes to 6th, 7th and 8th grade students.
This new location will allow those students who could not commute to the Munith location a chance to ... more
Shop Rat Partners with the Jackson Area Career Center
posted on June 18th, 2008
The Jackson Area Career Center has asked the Shop Rat Education Program to join the current MTL(Manufacturing Technology Laboratory) and Gateway to Technology (Project Lead the Way) programs.
Currently the MTL and Gateway to Technology programs visit the middle schools within the Jackson School District and provide hands on 'labs' with the students. Here they use their hands and minds to learn about manufacturing technology and basic engineering principles through project based learning.
Shop Rat will ... more
Shop Rat Builds Hovercrafts with attendees of the Learning Fair
posted on June 17th, 2008
Shop Rat Builds Hovercraft's with attendees of the Learning Fair.
The Shop Rat Foundation is to provide a hands on project at the fifteenth annual Learning Fair--one of the area’s largest technology fairs the whole family will enjoy, July 10th and 11th.
The Learning Fair provides a unique, hands-on opportunity to explore technology and the arts--demonstrated by gifted craftsmen and dynamic companies from across Jackson County and Michigan!
The Shop Rat Foundation will be teaching children how to ... more
Shop Rat at Jackson County Rose Parade
posted on June 5th, 2008
Shop Rat Graduation Ceremony
posted on June 5th, 2008
New Study Shows Over 260K Skilled Michigan Jobs May Go Un-Filled
posted on May 20th, 2008
... more
The Hovercraft is Complete!
posted on May 15th, 2008
Our Hovercraft Project
The journey that our class has been on for the last 7 months has proven that when you take 15 students and let them use their hands and their minds’ they can build great things!
* Students not pictured: Anthony Hoard, Anthony Steenbeke, Cristian Arzate, Zak Mudge, Anthony Lilianthal, Colten Stepke (Teacher).
The Hovercraft Project started with a kit from Universal Hovercraft that only had the very necessary parts such as the ... more
JOB OPENING: Shoprat hiring full time teacher
posted on May 12th, 2008
The Shop Rat Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization is looking for an applied Industrial Tech Instructor for their Shop Rat Education Program. This afterschool and weekend program involves instructing local middle school students and teaching them how to build creative projects. Instructors will be required to teach hands on skills, employability skills, teamwork and work ethic skills while building projects such as hovercrafts, ½ scale roadsters, basic utility vehicles and other exciting projects. ... more
The Wall Street Journal Proves Hands on Jobs are Hard To Fill
posted on May 8th, 2008
Many people and organizations are beginning to realize this shortage of skilled trade workers. In fact check out this article by the Wall Street Journal that shows seven of the top ten hardest to fill positions are hands on careers.
_________________________________________________
The Top 10 Hardest Jobs to Fill
Posted by Wendy Bounds
April 24th 2008
If this list is an indication, it’s pretty hard to find a good mechanic, carpenter, or someone to run the machines or do basic labor ... more
Shop Rat to be at MMA's CEO Forum
posted on May 2nd, 2008
The Shop Rat Foundation has been asked to bring our 2007/2009 Shop Rat Education Program Spotlight Project, a full size hovercraft to this years CEO Forum taking place May 13 at the Henry Center for Executive Development.
This hovercraft was just recently painted by Tripps Auto Body Shop and the students will be putting the craft back together during this weeks class to prepare for this event.
Pictures of the finished hovercraft are coming soon. ... more
Shop Rat to Present at MITES Convention
posted on May 2nd, 2008
The Shop Rat Foundation was asked to present at the 2008 Michigan Industrial and Technology Education Society (MITES) convention taking place on May 7th - 10th at the Lansing Center.
This convention was created to encourage and recognize fine craftsmanship in the field of
Industrial Technology, and Career Technical Education.
Students from Michigan will enter projects in twelve categories including: architectural drawing, electrical, graphic arts, machine shop, wood, applied technology, patternmaking, plastics, mechanical drawing, wrought metal, construction technology, ... more
Whats Really Happening During the 2007/2008 Shop Rat Education Program?
posted on April 29th, 2008
Whats Really Happening During the 2007/2008 Shop Rat Education Program?
Class One:
We began class with introductions of all the students and the teachers revealing a bit of information about why we were in the program and other personal information. Next we moved into a safety and behavior workshop. Once we were finished we completed a model Hovercraft HANDS ON PROJECT that taught the students how to construct a small model hovercraft made out ... more
Shop Rat In the Community
posted on April 25th, 2008
The Shop Rat Foundation has made several stops in the local community by supporting and participating in the local manufacturers and the local Career Center in open houses.
The Shop Rat Foundation is committed to supporting the local community to inspire the next generation to take interest in hands on careers and hobbies.
In March, Shop Rat was invited to be a part of the Jackson Area Career Centers Open House to create interest and increase ... more
Congratulations to Our Shop Rat Friends In Alabama
posted on April 22nd, 2008
Congratulations to our Shop Rat Friends in Alabama !
Brian Copes, an eighth grade teacher in Chelsea Alabama and leader of Shoprat/Southeast a 501 c in Alabama, has led his students to a first and second place victory at the 2008 Basic Utility Competition held in Indianapolis on April 18th.
The Chelsea Middle School students had built two vehicles - one a basic utility vehicle and the other a basic utility 'bus' like vehicle. ... more
Congratulations to Our Shop Rat Friends in Howell
posted on April 22nd, 2008
Laszlo Szalay, a teacher of the Howell High School's Machine Tool Program, and a good friend of the Shop Rat Organization donated a 1973 Honda CB 750 motor to create an award winning chopper with his team of students.
The "Reaper" is the custom chopper that led to recognition in the national competition called the Donnie Smith Chopper Class Challenge that was held in late March.
The class took home first place in innovation, structural design ... more
Shop Rat In Tech Directions Magazine
posted on April 14th, 2008
The Shop Rat Foundation was featured in the April 2008 Edition of Tech Directions, a trade journal for teachers and administrators of career/technical and technology vocational education.
Check out this editorial on page 2 :
http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/prakken/techdirections0408/ ... more
The Shop Rat Foundation Partners With SolidWorks Corporation
posted on February 11th, 2008
The Shop Rat Foundation is proud to announce its partnership with the SolidWorks Corporation. SolidWorks is the leader in 3D CAD technology, empowering product design teams with intuitive, high performance software that is easy to use, and provides the freedom to design products.
SolidWorks is providing every Shop Rat Education Program with the SolidWorks Education Edition Software. The SolidWorks Education Edition 2007 brings the latest in 3D CAD software, COSMOS Design Analysis software, and comprehensive courseware ... more
Shop Rats Story Aired on NPR
posted on November 9th, 2007
Grading Michigan Schools: Shop Rat Nation
Lester Graham
To listen to this radio spot please visit http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/michigan/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1180152§ionID=1 and click Listen.
ANN ARBOR, MI (2007-11-09) It's the first day of a weekend class at this machine shop near Pleasant Lake in south central Michigan. Advanced milling machines, programmable drills and other metal fabrication equipment line the walls in the brightly lit shop. The students are junior high-school age. They're hearing the dos and don'ts of working ... more
Shop Rat Donates Custom Wheelchair to Foote Hospital
posted on September 4th, 2007
The Shop Rat Foundation and three of the Shop Rat Education Program students, Billy Dunn, David Tracy and Derrick Miller donated two custom wheelchairs to Jackson's Foote Hospital Pediatric Ward.
The Shop Rat Students personally took the chairs to the ward and even took a couple of patients for a spin in the 'chopper' and 'police' wheelchair that the Shop Rat Education Program customized as a part of the Spring Program.
Check ... more
Congratulations to Mike Osterhaus!
posted on August 29th, 2007
It was Mike's lucky day on that scorching hot July day. His team, Melling Engine Parts, who had been trying to win the 24 Hour Race at the Jackson Speedway for five years, just won that race and as the Team Manager his excitement was overwhelming. Directly after the flags were waved the crowd was directed into the building where Christopher Salow would soon draw the name of the winner of the Shop Rat Custom ... more
Fall Classes Start September 15th
posted on August 23rd, 2007
Fall Classes will begin on September 15th, 2007. This first class will begin at 9am and will end at 12pm, Noon. We are hoping to have classes afterschool two nights a week but we will discuss with the parents and students what schedule will work best.
Students and volunteers, Please call 517-596-8000 to sign up!
The spotlight project for Fall's class is a full size, two seat, hovercraft.
We will also work on customized wheelchairs and other hands ... more
Manufacturers Day at the Races
posted on August 23rd, 2007
On August 18th 2007, the Shop Rat Foundation, Jackson Area Manufacturing Association and the Michigan Manufactures Association joined together and celebrated Michigan Manufacturing with the first annual "Manufacturers Day at the Races."
During the CARFAX 250 at the Michigan International Speedway, many gathered under and around the JAMA Hospitality tent and enjoyed the beautiful sunny August day. From beginning to end, from ... more
We are in the news!
posted on July 18th, 2007
Check out the recent blog regarding our exciting upcoming event:
http://blog.mlive.com/getting_in_your_business/ ... more
The Shop Rat Foundation awards Jack Roush with the 2007 Master Shop Rat of the Year Award at the August 18th NASCAR Busch Series CARFAX 250 Race
posted on July 13th, 2007
The Shop Rat Foundation, Michigan Manufactures Association (MMA) and the Jackson Area Association (JAMA) Manufacturing have teamed up to raise money for the Shop Rat Education Program with the "Manufacturers Day at the Races".
"This is not just a great networking opportunity for Michigan Manufacturers," said JAMA Executive Director Bill Rayl. "It's also an opportunity to celebrate the importance of manufacturing to Michigan's economy and to the world of performance racing. After all, there wouldn't be ... more
Shop Rat provides Hands on Project at the 2007 Spring Arbor Learning Fair
posted on June 15th, 2007
Shop Rat provides Hands on Project at the 2007 Spring Arbor Learning Fair
The Shop Rat Foundation is Partnering with Classic Turning to provide a hands on project at the fourteenth annual Learning Fair--one of the area’s largest technology fairs the whole family will enjoy, July 19th and 20th.
The Learning Fair provides a unique, hands-on opportunity to explore technology and the arts--demonstrated by gifted craftsmen and dynamic companies from across Jackson County and Michigan!
The ... more
Calling All Shop Rats
posted on June 14th, 2007
The Shop Rat Foundation would like to celebrate and give credit to Shop Rats and all their hard work that goes into their projects. Do you have a great project that you are working on that you would like to share with the rest of the Shop Rat Nation?
If so, send us your story and pictures to shoprat@gmail.com or send to 11500 M-106, Munith MI 49259
Each month we will showcase top Shop Rat Projects on ... more
Shop Rat Teaching Camp-goers How to Build Hovercrafts
posted on June 14th, 2007
Shop Rat Teaching Camp-goers How to Build Hovercrafts
Fourth, fifth and six graders attending the 2007 I can Make It Camp are in for a big treat during their July 9 – 13 stay. The Shop Rat Foundation is donating and teaching the students how to construct hovercrafts. These hovercrafts will be created from separate parts that attach and detach like building blocks to encourage experiments. Each hovercraft kit can be put together in numerous different ... more
Students Give Back to the Community with Customized Wheelchairs
posted on June 14th, 2007
Students Give Back to the Community with Customized Wheelchairs
The Shop Rat Students have been working on a great project that is teaching them a thing or two about giving back to the community. The Shop Rat Foundation is working with Jackson’s Foote Hospital in customizing pediatric wheelchairs and adding the ‘cool’ factor to them so that the children in the hospital enjoy using them. With a police car and a motorcycle choppers as the ... more
The Shop Rat Foundation receives the Michigan Manufacturers’ Association “Special Achievement” Award
posted on June 14th, 2007
The Shop Rat Foundation receives the Michigan Manufacturers’ Association “Special Achievement” Award
May 8th, 2007 turned out to be a very exciting day for the Shop Rat Foundation. At the Michigan Manufacturers’ Association’s CEO Forum the Shop Rat Foundation was presented with a Special Achievement award for exemplary efforts in education and community development. This ceremony was created 25 years ago to recognize Michigan Manufacturers’ positive contributions to the industry and local communities. This year’s event ... more
Getting a Chopper Education
posted on June 13th, 2007
Check out this article about our Shop Rat Friends in Alabama and the Wheels of Thunder Event. Copy the following link and paste it in your address bar to read the article!
http://www.shelbycountyreporter.com/articles/2007/06/13/lifestyles/life04.txt ... more
Shop Rat at Jackson Wheels of Thunder
posted on June 12th, 2007
Shop Rat at Jackson Wheels of Thunder
The 2007 Jackson Wheels of Thunder turned out to be a fantastic event that celebrated the art of motorcycles. The key to this event is that it did not only celebrate motorcycles, but that it brought together families from all around to enjoy coney dog contests, stunt shows, and the Shop Rat Foundation Bike Build off. The students from the Shop Rat Program in Munith, Michigan and the Shop ... more
Shop Rat at Jackson Wheels of Thunder
posted on June 12th, 2007
Shop Rat at Jackson Wheels of Thunder
The 2007 Jackson Wheels of Thunder turned out to be a fantastic event that celebrated the art of motorcycles. The key to this event is that it did not only celebrate motorcycles, but that it brought together families from all around to enjoy coney dog contests, stunt shows, and the Shop Rat Foundation Bike Build off. The students from the Shop Rat Program in Munith, Michigan and the Shop ... more
Shop Rat Foundation goes back to basics
posted on May 11th, 2007
Attention all Shop Rats! The Shop Rat Foundation was featured on ABC 12 of Flint, MI. Please click copy the link below and paste it to the address bar to read and watch the story!
http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=local&id=5267885 ... more
Check out this article from the New York Times...
posted on April 16th, 2007
A Great Year for Ivy League Schools, but Not So Good for Applicants to Them
April 04, 2007
Source: New York Times
SAM DILLON
Harvard turned down 1,100 student applicants with perfect 800 scores on the SAT math exam. Yale rejected several applicants with perfect 2400 scores on the three-part SAT, and Princeton turned away thousands of high school applicants with 4.0 grade point averages. Needless to say, high school valedictorians were a dime a dozen.
It was ... more
ShopRat.Org
posted on April 16th, 2007
ShopRat.Org
A Grassroots Movement Empowering Tomorrows Engineers and Techies
Douglas C. Acheson, Chris Salow
Purdue Engineering and Technology at IUPUI, Shop Rat Associates LLC
Presented at the 2007 American Society for Engineering Education- Illinios/Indiana Section Conference
Abstract
Educators of tomorrow’s engineering and technology workforce are continually looking for ways to recruit a student population that can adequately grasp and apply the concepts being taught in higher education. Here in the United States, academia has for the last decade or so ... more
Shop Rat Encourged to Pursue Manufacturing Careers
posted on March 30th, 2007
Shop Rats Encouraged to Pursue Manufacturing Careers
A revolution is taking place in Jackson, Michigan and is spreading across the state. Kids are being taught that it’s “cool” to get their hands dirty making things.
Founder Chris Salow, formed the Shop Rat Foundation in 2004 to bring honor and respect to the millions of “shop rats” — skilled tradespeople — who helped build this country and tocreate an education program for future shop rats. The ... more
The Good, The Bad, The Ugly: The Shop Rat Story
posted on February 8th, 2007
The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
The Shop Rat Story
The Ugly: In the past the term “Shop Rat” was used by some as a negative, disrespectful and degrading description of some of the most valuable people in our society. We now realize that the opposite is true. Shop Rats are the backbone of our lives and provide us with unbelievable comforts that we take for granted every day. They are the unsung ... more
Shop Rat Associates Donates Customized Motorcycle To SLD Learning Center
posted on February 2nd, 2007
Specialized Language Development (SLD) Learning Center is proud to announce a phenomenal donation of a customized motorcycle valued at $75,000.00 built by young Shop Rats! This is the first of three motorcycles to be built by the students and donated to a charity. $50 Raffle tickets will be sold through June of 2007.To purchase tickets, go to www.sldcenter.org. Proceeds will go to the SLD Learning Center. To see the chopper, go to our pictures page ... more
Shop Rat Education
posted on January 28th, 2007
Our Shop Rat Winter classes started up again last week. We had a great group of young Shop Rats who went through the Fall session and are back for more! They continue their work on various skills that they then apply to the motorcycle chopper they are building. This chopper will be used in a "build off" at the 2007 Wheels of Thunder held this summer in Jackson. This will truly be a great competition ... more
Shop Rat On The Air
posted on January 28th, 2007
Attention all Shop Rats. Shop Rat was highlighted on the National Association of Manufacturing's radio show, "America's Business with Mike Hambrick". Copy and paste this link to hear the March 10, 2007 broadcast. http://www.webcastgroup.com/webcast/window_new/frameset.asp?WebcastID=3222&n=&e2=&c=&nf=&nl=&r=&i= ... more
Shop Rats On The Move
posted on January 28th, 2007
Shop Rat will be seen and heard at several Michigan shows over the next couple of months. Shop Rat will be predominantly featured and will be spreading the word.
**January 25 – 28 RV Show at the Ford Field House in Detroit**
In addition to spreading the word about Shop Rat, we will be introducing several new Shop Rat merchandise items, promoting our three membership opportunities, displaying our custom OCC Chopper with special Shop Rat designed ... more
SHOP RAT FOUNDATION DONATES CUSTOMIZED MOTORCYCLE
posted on January 24th, 2007
SHOP RAT FOUNDATION DONATES CUSTOMIZED MOTORCYCLE
TO SLD LEARNING CENTER
Customized Motorcycle to be Presented at the International Auto Show in Grand Rapids!
Jackson, Michigan – The Shop Rat Foundation is proud to announce a phenomenal donation to the Specialized Language Development (SLD) Learning Center of a customized motorcycle valued at $75,000.00 built by young Shop Rats in grades 7th – 12th. SLD will be selling $50 Raffle tickets through June of 2007. Proceeds will go ... more
Shop Rat Plans to Bring "Cool" Factor to Education at Armory Arts Project
posted on December 19th, 2006
This Thursday, October 26th, Shop Rat Associates will share its vision for involvement in the Creative Industries aspect of the Armory Arts Project at a reception to be held at ART 634 located at 634 N. Mechanic St. The reception will be hosted by The Jackson Area Manufacturers Association (JAMA), the Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce, and The Enterprise Group of Jackson. Comerica Bank is sponsoring the event.
Neeta Delaney, Director of the Armory Arts Project, ... more
Bobby Allison ~ Shop Rat #12
posted on November 19th, 2006
Bobby Allison has become a Shop Rat Founding Member, choosing his favorite #12 as his membership number.
Allison first learned about a new association called Shop Rat in July at MIS while in town to be inducted into the Jackson RaceWeek Walk of Fame. He was so impressed by the concept that he asked founder, Chris Salow, to not only be a Founding Member, but to become one of the Association's spokespersons.
This elite membership will only ... more
Introducing The Shop Rat Founders Club
posted on November 18th, 2006
Shop Rat Associates announced today the introduction of the Shop Rat Founders Club. This elite membership will only have 1,913 members.
"The number 1,913 is significant because this represents the year Henry Ford (the ultimate Shop Rat) introduced the first "automated" assembly line, revolutionizing the industrial world", stated Chris Salow the founder of Shop Rat.
"Our goal is to build a community of young Shop Rats who will excel in challenging careers dedicated to creative and innovative ... more
Shop Rat Motorcycle Buildoff - The Jackson Wheels Of Thunder—2007
posted on October 28th, 2006
Chris Salow, founder of Shop Rat, and Joe Michner, Chairman of The Jackson Wheels of Thunder, announced today there will be a motorcycle 'build off' during the June 8-9, 2007 Wheels of Thunder event in downtown Jackson. The motorcycles will be built by young Shop Rats in Michigan and Alabama for a good ol' North South competition! ... more
Shop Rats Will Lead The Race For Charity!
posted on October 28th, 2006
The Jackson Race For Charity Presented by Shop Rat Associates is a unique event where local non-profits will join together and unite through various fundraising efforts. The race itself will be held at Jackson Speedway during the summer of 2007. Up to 24 identically prepared go-karts will be entered by various non-profits from the greater Jackson area. Shop Rat will design, build and donate a one-of-a-kind Shop Rat Chopper for the 2007 Race For Charity. ... more
Shop Rat Plans to Bring "Cool" Factor to Education at Armory Arts Project
posted on October 26th, 2006
Jackson, Michigan—This Thursday, October 26th, Shop Rat Associates will share its vision for involvement in the Creative Industries aspect of the Armory Arts Project at a reception to be held at ART 634 located at 634 N. Mechanic St. The reception will be hosted by The Jackson Area Manufacturers Association (JAMA), the Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce, and The Enterprise Group of Jackson. Comerica Bank is sponsoring the event.
Neeta Delaney, Director of the Armory Arts ... more
