In the world of vintage gaming, pinball machines are a relic of a bygone era that is experiencing a resurgence in popularity. Inspired by these old machines, Winona Area Learning Center teacher Matthew Wagner started a new club for his students called the Pinhawk Club. The club’s main goal is to restore broken pinball machines to working order and then auction off their first fully-restored machine to raise funds for the club’s activities.
During an interview with MPR News host Cathy Wurzer, Wagner and high school junior Corey Duncan, a student member of the Pinhawks club, discussed their passion for pinball machine restoration and the impact the club has had on its members. The conversation highlighted the importance of hands-on learning experiences and how the club has brought together students with a shared interest in vintage gaming.
Wagner explained how he was inspired to start the Pinhawk Club after discovering an old pinball machine in his basement and restoring it to working order. He then realized that there were other students who shared his passion for vintage gaming and wanted to learn more about it. So he started the club as a way for them to learn about restoration while also giving them an opportunity to put their skills into practice by restoring broken machines.
Corey Duncan, who is a member of the Pinhawks club, talked about how much he enjoys working on the machines and learning more about their history. He said that it’s been great meeting other people who share his interests and being able to work together on projects. He also noted that being part of the club has helped him develop important problem-solving skills that will serve him well in other areas of his life.
Wagner emphasized how important hands-on learning experiences are for students, especially when it comes to subjects like science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). He said that working on pinball machines gives students real-world experience with these subjects while also teaching them valuable skills like communication, collaboration