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From:
Eric Siegel <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Informal Science Education Network <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sat, 9 Mar 2013 09:59:29 -0500
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ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

On that note, we built a haptic internet based arm wrestling activity in 2003 or so with the estimable Lath Carlson.  We used parts built for robotic manufacturing of cars.  the kids shredded it in like two weeks.  I don't remember how we finally resolved it, but if you design for big physical interaction, the visitors will give it to you in large multiples.  So part of the question is, is there a way to build it so that it doesn't invite this kind of rough treatment.  Big red buttons are to be whammed, big cranks give lots of leverage and the opportunity for a few kids to "cooperate."  

From my point of view, it is our design, not the kids "bad" impulses that cause these kinds of problems.  We should design for the response we are looking for.  Hell, give an adult tools to cause havoc, they will be on it in a NY minute...like guns and cars.

Eric

On Mar 9, 2013, at 9:49 AM, Jason Jay Stevens <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
> 
> 
> A "torque limiter" can help.
> Plus, we always recommend customizing off-the-shelf cranks. They're usually designed for big burly men. And as we all know, big burly men can't hold a candle to a classroom full of third graders.
> BTW-- I recall seeing a pretty solid bicycle powered generator at an alternative energy fair several years ago. Like it had been designed for the application. I kick myself for not noting the manufacturer, but the fellow standing near it said he'd ordered it online. So they're out there (or were a few years ago). Of course, again, a gaggle of youth represents so much more havoc than any grown-up looking for ways to get off-grid. Probably still better off building one from scratch with industrial parts.
> 
> : j
> 
> Jason Jay Stevens
> Flutter & Wow Museum Projects
> 
> P. O. Box 21576
> Detroit, MI 48221
> 
> [log in to unmask]
> 210.364.6305
> 
> 
> 
> On Mar 8, 2013, at 10:32 PM, Dan Zevin wrote:
> 
>> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
>> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
>> *****************************************************************************
>> 
>> Greetings,
>> 
>> We're looking for a robust yet small, lightweight hand crank generator that can withstand a lot of use by teenagers.  This one gave us about 20 hours of use before the small handle snapped off: http://www.k-tor.com/hand-crank-generator/   
>> 
>> The crank needs to output at least 10W of power.  
>> 
>> If you've got suggestions for something better, we'd love to know about them!
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> 
>> Dan
>> 
>> ****************************
>> Dan Zevin 
>> Public Education Specialist
>> Space Sciences Laboratory
>> 7 Gauss Way, MC 7450
>> University of California, Berkeley
>> Berkeley, CA 94720-7450 
>> 
>> (510) 642-8326 
>> (510) 643-5660 [fax] 
>> [log in to unmask]
>> http://cse.ssl.berkeley.edu
>> ****************************
>> 
>> AST:7731^29u18e3
>> 
>> ***********************************************************************
>> For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
>> 
>> Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.
>> 
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> 
> ***********************************************************************
> For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
> 
> Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.
> 
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For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.

Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.

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