Mechanical -- Another Intelligence

Are you smart?

Students have been conditioned to correlate the answer to this question with how they perform in a traditional school setting. If they get A's in school, they are smart; if they get D's in school, they are stupid. Likewise, standardized test scores (e.g. SAT, ACT, CLT) reinforce this perception; the higher the score, the smarter the student.

It troubles me to hear high school students say that they are "stupid" based on a report card. It troubles me even more to hear 50 year old's say the same thing, as I know that they have carried this misperception and pain with them for half of their life ... just because they weren't successful in a traditional school setting forty years ago.

How are you smart?

John Gardner's book, Frames of Mind (1983), outlined an educational theory called Multiple Intelligences. Gardner's theory counters the traditional perspective that there is one form of intelligence, and those successful in school are the only ones who are smart. Proponents of this theory change the question from "Are you smart?" to "How are you smart?," implying that everyone is smart in a specific way. 

Multiple Intelligences identifies nine intelligences or ways that a person can be smart. 

1. Logical-Mathematical
2. Linguistic
3. Interpersonal
4. Intrapersonal
5. Naturalist
6. Musical
7. Spatial
8. Bodily-Kinesthetic
9. Existential

The intelligences listed above have been written about extensively by Gardner and many others, and I encourage you to research this theory more; however, the intent of this article is not to describe each intelligence, but to propose a new one.

Although I may consider myself to be traditionally "smart" because I have been successful in school, the theory of Multiple Intelligences resonates with me because of the many times that I feel stupid. I feel stupid when I'm asked to keep rhythm or dance to a beat (musical); I feel stupid when I can't visualize how to solve a 3-D puzzle (spatial); I feel stupid when I struggle to make small talk in a large group setting (interpersonal). However, nothing makes me feel more stupid than a weekend of house projects or car repairs, and that is why I am proposing a new intelligence. It is an intelligence that I definitely do not have: mechanical intelligence.

The Mechanical Intelligence

Clearly, some people are mechanically inclined ... or to elevate the diction, they have a mechanical intelligence. They are mechanically smart, and they need to be honored in our society. In fact, I think auto mechanics are some of the smartest people around, right alongside, electricians, plumbers, irrigation specialists (who, by the way, combine electrical and plumbing), and, of course, builders like Bob. Many of these individuals have mechanical intelligence, and that makes them smart.

And I should know ...

My life has been a litany of mechanical blunders ... trial, error, trial, error, trial, error, and then call someone who is mechanically smart to finish the job. While it has produced some humorous events, like when I changed the oil in my car and mistakenly replaced the transmission oil filter instead (the engine oil filter didn't seem to fit, but the person at AutoZone said I had to replace a filter). And speaking of oil, did you know that a chain saw needs gas mixed with oil and it needs chain oil? It actually doesn't work very well if you don't know those things. 

Of course what makes things worse is I married into a family of mechanically intelligent people ... Yep, my wife is way smarter than I am in this intelligence. My in-laws fix everything themselves, a definite characteristic of a mechanically intelligent person. Now, to fit in, I have become a master at faking this intelligence by watching YouTube videos and multiple trips to Home Depot, but, to be honest, I still struggle with "righty tighty, lefty loosey" and that is tough to hide (but that may have more to do with mixing up my right and left, which is another struggle). 

So are you mechanically intelligent?  Take this test ...

• If you know how to tie a knot other than the bow on your shoelace, you might have mechanical intelligence.
• If you can finish a home project with only one trip to Home Depot, you might have mechanical intelligence.
• If you have ever used ratchet cinch straps to secure an item, you might have mechanical intelligence.
• If you have ever taken apart an engine just for fun, you might have mechanical intelligence.
• If your first thought when something breaks is "I can fix it," you might have mechanical intelligence.

Seriously, some people are genuinely gifted with mechanical intelligence, and they need to be celebrated and respected for their intelligence. Over the past decades, our society has over-emphasized book smarts, traditional education, and college, especially as a means to define who is "smart." This has led to a dearth of skilled labor in the mechanical arts and trades ... just talk with your local general contractors association, and they will share their frustration.

I hope that you see my point and agree with my proposal to add another intelligence. Identifying a "new" intelligence is just the first step. Schools need to re-emphasize and, in some cases, resurrect classes/programs that develop a mechanical intelligence in students. Additionally, mechanically intelligent students should be celebrated in schools and recognized for their much-needed gifts. That is going to take an educational paradigm shift that will impact curriculum, staffing, and ultimately, a school's mission, vision, and strategic plan, i.e., what we value as a school.

Thankfully, some of the best schools have retained mechanical and vocational arts programs, and they should be our exemplars as we explore the redevelopment of these programs. 

Stay tuned to future posts as I use this platform to consider ways that schools can celebrate and develop mechanical intelligence ... 

... now, I need to go return some parts to Home Depot.