Summer Workshop Agenda & Curriculum 2025
Intro to RC Car Maintenance
1-Day Workshop | Ages 10+ (Parental attendance recommended for 10-11 if bringing own car) | Afternoon Session (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
Participants will learn basic maintenance, cleaning, and simple troubleshooting/repair techniques for their own RC cars (or a demo car if they don't have one).
Overall Goal
To empower RC car owners with the fundamental knowledge and skills to properly care for their vehicles, perform routine maintenance, and identify/fix common minor issues, extending the life and performance of their cars.
Skills Used/Developed
- Identification of key RC car components (motor, ESC, servo, suspension, drivetrain)
- Proper cleaning methods for RC cars
- Ability to check for and tighten loose screws/parts
- Understanding of basic battery care and safety
- Troubleshooting common RC car problems (e.g., no power, steering issues)
- Basic tool usage specific to RC cars
- Confidence in performing simple repairs
Tools Used
- Participant's own RC car (any scale, encouraged but not mandatory; demo cars available)
- Basic RC tool kit (Phillips screwdrivers, hex drivers, nut drivers, pliers - some provided, participants can bring own)
- Cleaning supplies (brushes, microfiber cloths, compressed air if available)
- Hobby-safe lubricants (e.g., for bearings, gears - optional, for demonstration)
- Work mat or tray
- Safety glasses (recommended)
Agenda & Time Breakdown (2 hours total)
Single Session Workshop
- 2:00 - 2:10 (10 min): Welcome, introductions, brief overview of workshop goals. Safety when working on RC cars (disconnecting batteries, tool safety).
- 2:10 - 2:40 (30 min): RC Car Anatomy Tour: Guided identification of key components on a demo car and participants' cars. Discussion of what each part does (motor, ESC, servo, receiver, battery, suspension parts, drivetrain parts).
- 2:40 - 3:10 (30 min): Preventative Maintenance & Cleaning: Best practices for cleaning after a run (dirt, dust, water exposure). How to check for loose screws, worn tires, and damaged parts. Basic battery care and charging safety.
- 3:10 - 3:20 (10 min): Break.
- 3:20 - 3:50 (30 min): Common Issues & Simple Fixes: Interactive session on troubleshooting common problems:
- Car won't turn on (checking connections, battery).
- Steering problems (servo check, linkage).
- Motor not running (connections, ESC lights).
- Unusual noises (identifying source - gears, bearings).
- 3:50 - 4:00 (10 min): Q&A session. Resources for further learning (online forums, local hobby shops). Workshop wrap-up and cleanup.