DANVILLE — Seeing an early 20th Century Model-T Ford rolling down the road evokes memories everyone with a driver’s license, especially those of a certain age that probably heard stories from their parents and grandparents.
But, what about kids that are 12-, 13- and 14-years old?
Most of them only know what it’s like to ride in a 21st Century vehicle.
On Wednesday, the social studies classes of Edward Baer at North Ridge Middle School went back in time. Thanks to Jane Cress and Joselyn Varner, associated with Potter’s Piston Parlor in Bismarck, nearly 100 students not only got to see a pair of classic Model-T Fords up close but they got to ride in around the school.
“It was exciting to see the difference from these cars to now,’’ said Brooklynn Germann. “Being able to experience what people experienced 100 years ago was fascinating.’’
Brylee Butler also enjoyed the experience.
“It was too different,’’ she said. “I like how they didn’t have a roof and no seat belts.
“It’s really cool how everything was made on these cars.’’
Eisley Hill admitted, the ride was probably kind of bumpy considering there were very few paved roads.
“One of the things that we’ve learned is that they tried a bunch of different type of cars, and these were the best ones they made back then,’’ she said.
Germann added, “this was really advanced technology back then. I can’t imagine how people back then felt after having no vehicles. This was definitely an easier way to get around.’’
Butler pointed out that Ford developed the first assembly line.
“He wanted to make these cars affordable so that all social classes of people could get around in them,’’ she said.
This special learning project, concocted by Baer with the help of Varner, a secretary at North Ridge, has been in the works for a while.
“Today was the most fun that I have had all year,’’ Varner said. “Mr. Baer has tried to talk me into this for about three years. We were finally able to make it happen.’’
Baer pointed out that experiencing these automobiles is part of the educational process.
“Right now, students have been learning about culture in the 1900s,’’ he said. “I wanted to make sure this was something they could experience. Talking about things in class, having them read about it is one thing but having them see and be apart of it is something entirely different that I think gives them a much better learning experience.’’
While Varner gave students a ride in the Model-T nicknamed “Henrietta,” Cress gave details and answered questions about the other Model-T nicknamed “Wildcat.”
Cress pointed out that the pedals on the floor board were the brake and the clutch, while the accelerator was a lever on the steering wheel. Additionally, the fuel tanks were under the seat and the fuel gauge was a yard stick that was placed into the tank like a dipstick.
All students had clipboards and handout sheets that they were required to fill out for the lesson.
“Most of these kids, it not all of them, don’t know much about the “olden days” when things were first produced,’’ Varner said. “I think it’s fun for them to get this perspective.
“They also learned the luxuries we enjoy today were not around.’’
Varner admitted the funniest question from a student was ‘do these cars have air bags.”