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	We usually do Take Apart table once a year during national
Engineer's week. All the advice here has been good, here's a few things
we've learned as well. One all staff email is typically all it takes to
get a pile of junk big enough to last.  If you'd like a copy of the one
I send out for wording contact me off-list. Make sure you specify no
CRTs or you'll get stuck with a bunch. VCRs are a personal favorite,
lots of moving parts.  While big appliances would be big fun (I heard
some museum took apart a car!?), keep in mind that when you take
something apart it's volume increases exponentially.  It's very
important to make sure you plan a way to recycle all the components you
liberate from their cases.  Much of it, such as circuit boards &
batteries are hazardous waste.  We don't let visitors take anything
home, but that's mostly to avoid disputes/disappointment over who gets
the "cool parts".
	As far as tools go, torx drivers are a must.  The small ones are
very handy for things like hard drives.  Allen & hex wrenches are good,
as are an assortment of screw drivers.  We'll put all these out on the
table with a sign that reminds people of the mantra "Righty Tighty,
Lefty Loosey".  We also keep a bucket on the table for very small parts
such as screws.  We usually don't let visitors use pliers or wire
cutters since they end up shifting the activity closer to destruction
than dissection.  One very important concept I try to get across is that
tools have a job, and they should only be used for that job.
Screwdrivers are for turning screws, not for prying things apart.
Hammers are totally unnecessary for this, they're made to bang in nails.
Using tools incorrectly is how you'll end up with an injury. Ed's safety
recommendations are also all very important, especially the power cord
one.  
	This is a great activity for today's kids, as there's so many
other things competing with the garage for their time.  Putting tools in
their hands and giving them the confidence to use them is a great
outcome. There's many "black box" devices in their lives, it's great to
let them know it's ok to find out what's inside and that warranties are
made to be voided (again, make sure you tell them to check with an adult
before home dissections).  I've also observed this is a great activity
for parent/child interactions, and I expect many go home & look around
the house for more things they can dissect together.

David Perry | Lead Educator, Vernier Technology Lab
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
Phone: 503-797-4585
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