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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Hey Ya'll

The machine disassembly activity is a merit badge requirement for the Junior
Girl Scout merit badge, "Making it Matter".  The requirements for this merit
badge are meant to give the girls a sampling of different engineering
disciplines: mechanical, electrical, chemical, civil. And yes, they are
required to put it back together - but NOT plug it in. We used an electric
ice cream maker.

Most, if not all, of the activities for this merit badge could be done in an
afternoon. Offering this badge might be a good way to increase group sales.

-- 
John W. Kelton
Exhibit Designer
and Interpretive Planner
256.883.6067


> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
> 
> Jonah,
> 
> We have done that activity with the girls in science classes and never had a
> problem. The girls take apart everything from toasters to computers. We
> don't do TVs or monitors, though. There are capacitors in old TVs that can
> hold a charge, as you said. It can be discharged by shorting across the
> terminals with a screwdriver if you know where to do it. Or you can just
> wait until you accidently do it with your hand--that works too. You'll go
> around the rest of the day all charged up, but it might be considered a
> shocking waste of resources!
> 
> I usually tell the young women midway through the class that they can't go
> home until they put everything back together again. Ha!
> 
> Phil Edgerton
> Exhibits Technician
> The Health Adventure
> Asheville, NC 28801, who asks the question, "Is there room for levity at the
> ASTC list-serv?"
> 
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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]