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Since I am the primary user of the laundry in my house, it did not even
occur to me until I reread this thread that the appliances I suggested for a
girls take-apart were those generally associated with stereotyped female
gender roles  I certainly did not mean to suggest that the equipment to be
disassembled should be gender stereotyped in any way, but those were the
first three things I thought of that satisfied the criteria of being large,
being readily disassembled with ordinary tools, having comprehensible
mechanisms, and being readily available.  At least I didn't add vacuum
cleaners to the list, although I have a vacuum cleaner in the basement
waiting for a rainy day do I can disassemble it with my daughter.

And here's the piece I was thinking of - I finally remembered it was a video
, not a written piece:

http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/202

The part on deconstructing appliances is at 6:25, but it's worth watching
the whole video.

Dave Smith



On Thu, Jun 5, 2008 at 1:55 PM, David Smith <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

> I wish I could remember where I saw a very well-written piece on this
> recently, but the gist was that kids should be focused on trying to figure
> out how the pieces go together to make the whole system work.  That means
> that electronics are not great because circuit boards are so inscrutable.
> They suggested and I think you should look into big appliances that are more
> evident.  Washers, dryers, dishwashers would all be good targets and you
> could very likely get an appliance or home store to donate some ones that
> they have removed for recycling when they delivered the new ones.  Also,
> this requires more collaborative effort since they are so large.
>
> Dave
>
>
> On Thu, Jun 5, 2008 at 1:37 PM, Ed Sobey <[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.
>>
>> *****************************************************************************
>>
>> Katie-
>>
>> Treat the take-apart as an exploration - you're looking for cool parts.
>> Coolest are ones kids can use in projects - motors from VCRs for example.
>> Gears, keys from keyboards, belts, levers, etc. The circuit boards are
>> generally worthless. They can figure out oryou can tell them what some of
>> the components are, but that's a "who cares" activity.
>>
>> Also avoid disposable cameras. They are a cool take apart with good stuff,
>> but they have a capicator that packs a whallop.
>>
>> The best stuff has mechanical parts: typewriters, keyboards, toys - all of
>> which are hard to find. Ask local thrift stores to save stuff they receive
>> but can't sell.
>>
>> Rules:
>> 1. Before any take apart (at home) get permission of the owner.
>> 2. Remove any electrical plugs, bend the prongs outward and dispose of the
>> plugs. (We didn't use to do this last step - but after that explosion at the
>> wall outlet, we now do)
>> 3. No hammering, no hammers. Screw drivers (mostly Phillips, small sizes)
>> and pliers. One pair of wire cutters and a few other tools that you hold.
>> 4. Goggles
>> 5. Stress the fact that you're looking for cool stuff. When they find
>> something, stop and alert you so you can draw everyone's attention. This
>> reduces the "tear it apart" mentality. Keep some 9 v batteries and clip
>> leads handy so they can test any motors they find.
>>
>> This is a great first day activity. It builds teams, its an immediate
>> start - little explanation, get started, and they create piles of stuff to
>> use later in the week.
>>
>> For more info, see my books "Inventing Stuff" and "Inventing Toys."
>>
>> Best wishes,
>>
>> Ed Sobey
>> Northwest Invention Center
>>
>>
>>
>> Global Evangalist for Creative Learning
>>
>> ***********************************************************************
>> For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and
>> the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
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>
>
>
> --
> David L. Smith
> Da Vinci Science Center
> Allentown, PA
> http://www.davinci-center.org
>
> Please consider the environment before printing this email.




-- 
David L. Smith
Da Vinci Science Center
Allentown, PA
http://www.davinci-center.org

Please consider the environment before printing this email.

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