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I am about to work with 9th graders in a take apart lab. Does anyone
have any specific suggestions about how to engage this age group in the
activity? I would love examples about cool but easy (no soldering)
projects that they could do.
Also I am about to buy some TORX sets and would appreciate suggestions
about brands and sizes that would be appropriate. We will be taking
apart everything from Macs, PCs, phones, VCRS, hairdryers, to some
really lovely old chemistry equipment.
Thanks
Carolyn Nichol, PhD
Associate Director for Education
Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology (CBEN)
MS 60
Rice University
Houston, Texas 77005
713 348 2672
-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Beryl Rosenthal
Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2008 2:11 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Electronics take-apart
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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Take apart activities in general are great for the generation of kids
who do not tinker. I put out an all staff memo and canvassed my
business contacts to see if they had anything of interest while cleaning
out their attics and basements. I hit up the thrift stores repeatedly.
Beryl
David Smith wrote:
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
>
************************************************************************
*****
>
> 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
>>
>>
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>
>
>
>
--
Beryl Rosenthal, Ph.D.
Director
Tsongas Industrial History Center
Boott Cotton Mills
115 John Street
Lowell, MA 01854
(978) 970-5081 (t)
(978) 970-5085 (f)
[log in to unmask]
www.uml.edu/tsongas/index2.htm
A joint program of UMASS Lowell and Lowell National Historical Park
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