New WAPS club restores, plays old pinball machines

(KWNO)-The newest club in Winona Area Public Schools is going retro. The Winona Pinhawk Club is restoring old pinball machines under the guidance of art teacher Matthew Wagner.

“Pinball machines are the perfect example of hands-on learning as they combine art, science and engineering in one interactive product,” says Wagner. Students use problem solving skills to fix everything from burned-out lightbulbs or malfunctioning flippers to problems with a machine’s schematics.

The Pinhawk Club is seeking donations of pinball machines and Wagner says the aim is repair at least one machine a year. A recent donation of a 1964 Williams Zig Zag Pinball machine was made by Trevor Gronning in memory of his father DuWayne Gronning and students have the machine fully functional. Foundation for Winona Area Public Schools will display the machine at its May 11 fundraising event, where it will be available to play and purchase.