ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

Yes, Sam, I agree.  I have hit up the local Salvation Army/Goodwill 
store repeatedly, and frankly, I had a deal with the one near us to 
put aside for me those items which were somewhat beyond repair or 
would never sell.  They were a terrific source of dial phones.  And 
VCR's were a very cool item because kids could actually see what 
happens when the drawer slides in and out, and what the tape actually 
touched.
Beryl

>ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
>Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
>*****************************************************************************
>
>Hi Jonah and all!
>
>I've enjoyed listening to the different ideas floating around!  Really
>fascinating conversation-
>
>Joe and Beryl - I agree to the umpteenth!  Growing up I never had the chance
>to tinker and deconstruct things, and since I've been in science museums
>that's been one of the most joyous parts of my career.
>
>One safety point you may want to do to check for capacitors is just push in
>the power button for a few seconds after unplugged ~ it may discharge some
>of the juice if the capacitor is directly in-line (like in your computer).
>Also, definitely cut the power cords to make sure that they don't
>accidentally get plugged in while open and being explored.  Beware taking
>apart disposable cameras - they are awesome to tear into, make nice, cheap
>strobes for doing work with phosphorescent coatings, but have a nasty
>capacitor and can provide quite a stinger.  Not that I've discharged one
>into my fingers once or twice...Yeah, I'd never do that....Ahem....
>
>A couple of thoughts on the activities-
>1) Think about using toys as a way to explore mechanics as well...You can
>cruise Salvation Army/Goodwill/Thrift Stores, or ask kids to bring in old
>toys that their parents are ready to pitch.  They're a wealth of interesting
>little pieces/parts, generally require low voltages to operate all of their
>pieces/parts, and show interesting little mechanisms to make movement, sense
>the environment, flash lights, etc.  I'd also recommend collecting broken
>hand controllers for X-Box or Playstation ~ they are interesting inside,
>especially the off-weight motors they use to make 'em rumble.
>2) I'm really inspired by a lot of the work that the folks in the PIE
>Network are doing.  It's sooooo cool to see how powerful an experience it is
>to use simple materials, motors, circuits, etc. to explore and inquire.
>Find a website that shows linkages/mechanisms/connections in action.  It
>would make a nice background piece playing on a computer that kids can refer
>to while they deconstruct, a sort of check-in that they can use to compare
>to what they're seeing while they work.
>3) If there are things like a VCR that can be partially disassembled and
>still operate, essentially removing the black box around the mechanisms,
>show the kids (um, but only demonstrate, don't let them do it, especially if
>the widget has to be plugged in)!  I remember watching an artist make an art
>piece that used a VCR with the case off, and the motion pieces were tied
>into the tape loading/unloading mechanism.  It was sooooo fascinating to
>watch it in motion and see all of the pieces come together.
>4) Are there any artists in town who work with kinetic sculpting that may be
>of interest to bring in and participate?  Some of the most meaningful
>experiences I've had is in working with artists who take these pieces apart
>and re-combine 'em into new and interesting works.
>
>Good luck, Jonah!
>
>Sam
>
>
>--
>Samuel B. Dean
>Science Machine Consulting
>2033 Farnham Road
>Toledo, OH  43607
>e: [log in to unmask]
>ph: 419.215.7234
>
>>  From: Jonah Cohen <[log in to unmask]>
>>  Date: Tue, 16 May 2006 10:14:47 -0400
>>  Subject: Hazards of Machine Dissection
>>
>>  ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
>>  Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related 
>>institutions.
>  > 
>*****************************************************************************
>>
>>  Howdy n hi. Yet another query about engineering stuff:
>>
>> 
>>
>>  We've been fidgeting with the idea of a program where people would get to
>>  take tools and take apart various machines (TVs, speakers, pagers, VCRs,
>>  hard drives etc) and see what's inside. Initial testing looks promising -
>>  those neodymium magnets in computer hard drives sure are boss!
>>
>> 
>>
>>  But I wanted to consult my more mechanically minded cohorts about the
>>  potential hazards of this activity. I know that some contraptions have
>>  capacitors whose charge needs to be drained. It was pointed out to be that
>>  some devices might also contain hazardous materials one might not want to be
>>  mucking about with.
>>
>> 
>>
>>  Any safety advice from those who have done this kind of thing?
>>
>> 
>>
>>  Soon to be underwater,
>>
>>  Jonah Cohen
>>
>>  Outreach and Public Programs Manager
>>
>>  The Sci... er... The Children's Museum
>>
>> 
>>
>>  I cannot stress enough that nearly without exception one cannot randomly
>>  combine a collection of circuitry and power supplies into an object and
>>  "accidentally discover" that it is a fully functioning death ray. I speak
>>  here from bitter experience.
>>
>>  -James Kakalios, "The Physics of Super Heroes"
>>
>> 
>>
>>
>>  ***********************************************************************
>>  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]
>
>***********************************************************************
>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]


-- 
Beryl Rosenthal, Ph.D.
Director of Exhibitions and Public Programs
MIT Museum
265 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA  02139
Tel: 617-452-2111
Fax: 617-253-8994
[log in to unmask]
"A great place to explore ideas, invention, and innovation: 
http://web.mit.edu/museum"

***********************************************************************
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]