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Lisa....
One of my favorites to use with Cub Scouts and similar groups is what I call the pneumatic lifter. Briefly, it involves blowing air into a straw inserted through a small hole in a zip-lock bag so the bag becomes inflated. Kids are amazed at how readily they can lift a 20-pound stack of books (or a heavy cement block) this way.
The background basics involve knowing that a person can easily build up a pressure of about one-half pound per square inch. A one-quart bag is about 7 inches by 7 inches, or an area of 49 square inches. The pressure of one-half pound per square inch multiplied by the area pushing up on the books of about 49 square inches gives a lifting force of almost 25 pounds. (Adults can usually build up a blowing pressure of one or one-and-a-quarter pound per square inch, with a corresponding increase of lifting force. Using bigger (gallon size) or smaller (snack size) bags also changes how much can be lifted because the lifting area is different.
The only tricky part is getting the straw through the side or corner of the bag with an air-tight seal. I find this easy to do by starting a small hole with the tip of a ball-point pen, being sure not to go too far and make the hole too big. Then force the end of the straw through the hole so the bag grips the straw firmly. It may take several tries to get the hole large enough but not too large. Sometimes cutting off the end of the straw on a diagonal makes the insertion easier.
I have also used a garbage bag, roughly 40 inches by 40 inches, area 1600 square inches, sealed across the open side with duct tape or package sealing transparent tape except for the last inch or so, and then inflating it with a hair drier. A hair drier can generate an air pressure of about one tenth of a pound per square inch. Multiplying the pressure by the area gives force, in this case about 160 pounds, which could be lifted. I usually put a sheet of plywood about 40 inches by 40 inches on top of the bag; then sit a 100-lb. kid in the center of the sheet and turn on the hair blower, holding the edges of the bag's opening tightly around the nozzle of the hair drier. Have several people around the edges to steady the kid being lifted.
I understand that air-bag lifters are used by some emergency personnel for lifting cars off accident victims.
Al Read, Director, Science Discovery Center of Oneonta (NY)
-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network on behalf of Lisa Jo Rudy
Sent: Fri 4/30/2004 9:38 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Cc:
Subject: proof of concept - your ideas requested!
ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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As per my prior posts, I am working toward the idea that hands-on science
(and arts, lit, etc.) is a terrific way to engage and teach kids with learning
differences - eg, kids on the autism spectrum, with ADHD, etc. Not only do they
actually learn more appropriately (autistic kids are VERY visual, for
example), but they can also build social, communication, gross and fine motor skills
at the same time.
To prove out this concept, I'm working with a local YMCA. With them, I've
developed a summer camp for kids on the autism spectrum. At the camp, I'll be
involving the kids in weekly or semi-weekly hands-on science activities. My
plan is to select from and/or adapt "chestnuts" that (1) are fun; (2) require
teamwork of some sort; (3) require some level of gross or fine motor involvement.
An example of this is the basic "build a lever" activity. Kids will use
gross motor skills to set a plank on top of a block. They'll use teamwork and
communication skills when one stands on one end and the other stands on the other
to balance. They'll use critical thinking skills when they figure out how to
use the lever as a catapult, etc. And, hopefully, they'll have a ton of fun
as well! I'll do a visual presentation of the activity prior to getting
started, so that the kids can be mentally prepared (a take-off on the Visual
Systems approach used in a few museums).
I'll be doing some videotaping during the program, and plan to distribute
parent updates prior to each activity, so that they'll be able to prep their kids
and be on the lookout for affective and cognitive responses. I'll also be
distributing questionnaires at the end of each week which include a specific
request for feedback on the hands-on science.
Any ideas on (a) appropriate activities; (b) evaluation; (c) adaptations
would be gratefully received!
Thanks to all!
Lisa
Lisa Jo Rudy, Writer/Consultant
625 Chelten Hills Drive
Elkins Park, PA 19027
www.lisarudy.com
215-635-9735
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