Planning farm mechanics laboratories for Oklahoma

Abstract

Scope and Method of Study: The purposes of this study were (1) to secure information from experienced teachers concerning the building requirements for an adequate farm mechanics laboratory; and (2) to develop complete plans for buildings or laboratory rooms.

A questionnaire was formulated and distributed to each of the ninety-three vocational agriculture teachers in the Southwest district. Fifty teachers cooperated in this study.

Findings and Conclusions: In many cases buildings were very inadequate in all areas of study, although a few departments have adequate facilities to properly teach farm mechanics in vocational agriculture.

Areas where farm mechanics laboratories were inadequate are: (1) lack of adequate floor space; (2) ceiling heights were too low; (3) ceilings were constructed of materials which were not fire-proof; (4) many laboratories were in poor condition; (5) natural and artificial lighting were poor in many instances; (6) windows in a majority of laboratories were installed too low; (7) exhaust fans were definitely lacking in most laboratories; (8) electric wiring was inadequate; (9) heating systems were inadequate (10) many laboratories; (11) tool rooms and storage rooms were inadequate; (12) student lockers and outside work areas were inadequate.

The study revealed that most laboratories were adequate in the following areas: (1) service entrance doors; (2) location adjacent to classroom; and (3) desired type of work-benches.

The author's conclusions were that teachers of vocational agriculture should assume responsibility in planning an economical and useful laboratory.