Mr. Kratz getting his hands dirty to demonstrate auto maintenance
St. Mary’s Personal Life Management students recently headed outside to work on the school’s Toyota Lite-Ace van. This has become a yearly tradition ever since Mr. Kraatz started teaching the class, and it’s always one of the most memorable lessons.
The goal of the activity is to teach students basic car maintenance skills. Things everyone should know before they start driving. Students check six important fluids that help a car run properly: engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, coolant, wiper fluid, and power steering fluid. They learn what each one does and how to check or refill them.
On top of that, the class goes over how to check tire pressure, and how to safely change a flat tire using tools like a jack and tire iron. It is all about helping students feel more confident with everyday car problems.
“The goal is to take the mystery out of these activities,” Mr. Kraatz said. “It’s about giving students a basic level of experience.”
By the end of class, students have hands-on experience that could help them in real-life situations, skills that are useful, practical, and often overlooked in school.