Industrial arts is an area of general education that deals with technology and industry. The field is also known as technology education. It provides opportunities for students to study, observe, experiment, and work with industrial tools, machines, materials, and processes. Industrial arts programs are offered in elementary school and high school and by colleges and universities. The programs include courses in automobile mechanics, electronics, graphic arts, industrial crafts, industrial drawing, metalworking, photography, plastics, and woodworking.
Education in the industrial arts began in the United States during the late 1800's. Since then, more and more students have enrolled in industrial arts programs. Today, about 7 million students are involved in such programs. In addition, many changes have taken place in industrial arts programs through the years to reflect technological developments.
In the past, most schools required boys to take industrial arts and girls to take family and consumer sciences. Few girls studied industrial arts until the 1970's. Today, most courses in the field are coeducational.
