ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

I've done this kind of thing for a long time and have found that it 
has even more appeal now than ever before.  I agree with Joe Ruggiero 
that kids don't tinker anymore, so they don't get a chance to see 
what makes things tick, or how to use tools properly.

We try to get a mix of items, both mechanical (getting harder!) and 
electronic.  We do NOT use anything with mercury, not TV or computer 
monitors, etc.  We do keep lots of bandaids on hand just in case.

The key here is not to just let kids pound away on stuff, but to 
provide a semidirected activity.  It works best when the kid comes in 
with an adult, who (you hope!) can help you with this.  We give the 
adults the fast version of inquiry, so that they can help the kid 
they are with explore carefully rather than just tear into stuff.  A 
classic example: we had two kids working on telephones, one with 
buttons, the other with a dial.  We got into a discussion of why we 
still say "dial a number" when clearly, dial phones are not in the 
mainstream anymore.  We also had a grandparent who took her 
granddaughter through the disassembly of a computer keyboard, and 
worked with her to talk about impulses and what's really going on 
under the keys...she was brilliant!

My advice, do a carefully guided take apart!

Beryl

>ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
>Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
>*****************************************************************************
>
>Howdy n hi. Yet another query about engineering stuff:
>
>
>
>We've been fidgeting with the idea of a program where people would get to
>take tools and take apart various machines (TVs, speakers, pagers, VCRs,
>hard drives etc) and see what's inside. Initial testing looks promising -
>those neodymium magnets in computer hard drives sure are boss!
>
>
>
>But I wanted to consult my more mechanically minded cohorts about the
>potential hazards of this activity. I know that some contraptions have
>capacitors whose charge needs to be drained. It was pointed out to be that
>some devices might also contain hazardous materials one might not want to be
>mucking about with.
>
>
>
>Any safety advice from those who have done this kind of thing?
>
>
>
>Soon to be underwater,
>
>Jonah Cohen
>
>Outreach and Public Programs Manager
>
>The Sci... er... The Children's Museum
>
>
>
>I cannot stress enough that nearly without exception one cannot randomly
>combine a collection of circuitry and power supplies into an object and
>"accidentally discover" that it is a fully functioning death ray. I speak
>here from bitter experience.
>
>-James Kakalios, "The Physics of Super Heroes"
>
>
>
>
>***********************************************************************
>More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
>Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at http://www.astc.org.
>To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
>message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
>[log in to unmask]


-- 
Beryl Rosenthal, Ph.D.
Director of Exhibitions and Public Programs
MIT Museum
265 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA  02139
Tel: 617-452-2111
Fax: 617-253-8994
[log in to unmask]
"A great place to explore ideas, invention, and innovation: 
http://web.mit.edu/museum"

***********************************************************************
More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at http://www.astc.org.
To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]