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Posted by Ignoramus29226 on April 3, 2006, 4:16 pm
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wrote:
>
>>I am looking for something to give to my soon to be 6 year old nephew
>> for birthday (we'll pool money with my parents, so I would say the
>> budget is $100). I also keep in my my 4 year old for the future.
>>
>> What we are thinking about is buying some sort of "science kit".
>>
>> What I know from experience is that manufacturers learned that they
>> can get away with making complete CRAP that they pass for a "science
>> kit". These things never work, they simply are hoping that it would be
>> collecting dust in some closet, which usually is the case. I had a bad
>> experience with one such kit, which I returned.
>>
>> So... Does anyone know of decent kits within that price range of $100.
>>
>> Either electrical or chemical, I suppose this is my choice.
>>
>> i
>
> I'm not sure I can help much for something like this, but I know if I toss
> together some wire, light switches, batteries, electrical tape, lights,
> etc., and sit down with my son, he has a blast making little electrical
> circuits and such, and it's cheap. You can make all types of little motors
> and lights with circuits, and it's fun, very inexpensive and the fun does
> last for a long time as there's so many different things you can do with a
> few simple objects and materials.
> For chemicals, I don't trust my 5 OR 6 year old with much more than
> something like making home-made volcanos ;) My boys are destructive, messy
> and basically your typical 5/6 year old boys. I have no suggestions there.
Thanks, as far as I am concerned, you are right and I made some toys
with wires, etc. Here, though, I am loking for a present for my
nephew.
I cannot really ship them a bunch of solid state relays, resistors,
ICs, scrounged wires, terminals and a crimper, and call it a birthday
present. :)
i
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Posted by Kryten on April 3, 2006, 7:47 pm
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> On Mon, 03 Apr 2006 19:52:52 GMT, xkatx
>>
> I cannot really ship them a bunch of solid state relays, resistors,
> ICs, scrounged wires, terminals and a crimper, and call it a birthday
> present. :)
If they don't see potential Tesla coils, electromagnets, radios, etc then
perhaps it's not really their calling.
I think what gave me the buzz as a kid was to imagine things I'd like to
make, then go scrounging for the bits, then make something that might work -
or not. Even if it did not, I'd have learnt what doesn't work and why.
Why not spend time talking with them about a crazy thing to make, then have
a scavenge round junk yards, and pull things to bits for parts. Taking
things apart is like a dissection lesson but less yukky.
For inspiration, try watching the shows by Tim Hunkin. He made a series of
short programs with titles like "The Secret Life of Washing Machines"
showing how common gadgets worked. One time he made a huge digital clock by
using an ordinary clock to switch on strip lights instead of LED segments.
How about making an animated water feature using electrically automated
valves from old washing machines?
Or an elaborate automated sculpture using old electric motors?
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Posted by Ignoramus29226 on April 3, 2006, 9:43 pm
Please log in for more thread options On Mon, 03 Apr 2006 23:47:18 GMT, Kryten
>> On Mon, 03 Apr 2006 19:52:52 GMT, xkatx
>>>
>
>> I cannot really ship them a bunch of solid state relays, resistors,
>> ICs, scrounged wires, terminals and a crimper, and call it a birthday
>> present. :)
>
> If they don't see potential Tesla coils, electromagnets, radios, etc then
> perhaps it's not really their calling.
>
> I think what gave me the buzz as a kid was to imagine things I'd like to
> make, then go scrounging for the bits, then make something that might work -
> or not. Even if it did not, I'd have learnt what doesn't work and why.
I think that to imagine this stuff, one needs to get some basic
understanding of how electricity or other things, work.
> Why not spend time talking with them about a crazy thing to make, then have
> a scavenge round junk yards, and pull things to bits for parts. Taking
> things apart is like a dissection lesson but less yukky.
He lives far from me.
> For inspiration, try watching the shows by Tim Hunkin. He made a series of
> short programs with titles like "The Secret Life of Washing Machines"
> showing how common gadgets worked. One time he made a huge digital clock by
> using an ordinary clock to switch on strip lights instead of LED segments.
>
> How about making an animated water feature using electrically automated
> valves from old washing machines?
>
> Or an elaborate automated sculpture using old electric motors?
I would like to make a toy water powered electric generator...
i
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Posted by terry@terryking.us on April 4, 2006, 7:06 am
Please log in for more thread options i, AFTER you get a decent pre-packaged kit (which is a good idea)..
there comes the usual downfall of BATTERIES.
For some of my Grandchildren, and for several elementary school
projects, I have used the Zero-Cost approach of the "Old PC Power
Supply". The kid can plug this in and never run out of batteries, for
stationary projects anyway. You get this:
5 volt DC power at several amps
12 volt DC power at several amps
-12 volt DC power (Only needed for some electronics experiments)
Runs from 120V 60 Hz OR 220V 50HZ (usually has a small switch to
change 120-240)
Short-Circuit protection! WHEN you short out an output, the supply
turns off. Turn it off and back on again. So this is quite "Safe"
unless you put just-the-right small wire across the supply and have it
heat up....
Minor Challenges:
- You need to have some minimum LOAD on the +5 supply for the power
supply to work with no PC attached. A small 6 volt or 12 volt
automobile tail light bulb is good, and tells you "It's ON!". I have
also used a cool "Side Marker Light" that is has a small case and a
yellow lens, that was cheap at Wal-Mart. NOTE: 5V on the 12V bulb is
not too bright, but works). OR you can mount a 10 Ohm 10 Watt resistor
(Radio Shack) inside the power supply case. Of course, the FAN runs,
so the kid knows it's on when he/she goes to bed...
- You need to have some easy way for the kid(s) to attach things to the
"right" output connections. The best thing is to add some large
TERMINALS that you can arrange on a small board or on the chassis of
the supply, and LABEL THEM. Tape all those "extra" wires into a big
lump with electrical tape.
My favorite "Power Panel" is a piece of 1/8" wallboard with the shiny
white surface, used in cheap bathroom makeovers. Comes in big sheets,
but look for the cheap one with the corner broken! Easy to drill holes
for terminals, pilot lihhts etc. AND they are great for
marking: Permanent marker for power connection labels. And, It's a
White Board! Use those dry-erase markers for experiment labels. That
same wallboard makes great "experiment" or "Switch" panels. Use the
dry erase markers to draw the circuits, then hook them up with the
alligator-clip leads. You get the idea.
Here are a couple of pointers to examples:
http://web2.murraystate.edu/andy.batts/ps/powersupply.htm
http://reckerclub.tripod.com/id105.html
..and more if you Google "use old pc power supply"
Suggestion: Get a package of those "Alligator clip leads" at Radio
Shack for the kids to connect up some small 12 volt bulbs, switches
etc.
Anyway, this way the "Batteries" never run out...
Regards, Terry King ...On The Mediterranean in Carthage
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Posted by Ignoramus29428 on April 4, 2006, 11:00 am
Please log in for more thread options > i, AFTER you get a decent pre-packaged kit (which is a good idea)..
> there comes the usual downfall of BATTERIES.
>
> For some of my Grandchildren, and for several elementary school
> projects, I have used the Zero-Cost approach of the "Old PC Power
> Supply". The kid can plug this in and never run out of batteries, for
> stationary projects anyway. You get this:
>
> 5 volt DC power at several amps
> 12 volt DC power at several amps
> -12 volt DC power (Only needed for some electronics experiments)
> Runs from 120V 60 Hz OR 220V 50HZ (usually has a small switch to
> change 120-240)
>
>
> Short-Circuit protection! WHEN you short out an output, the supply
> turns off. Turn it off and back on again. So this is quite "Safe"
> unless you put just-the-right small wire across the supply and have it
> heat up....
Sounds like a good idea. For myself, I already have a few power
supplies, but I will pass this tip on to my sister.
> - You need to have some easy way for the kid(s) to attach things to the
> "right" output connections. The best thing is to add some large
> TERMINALS that you can arrange on a small board or on the chassis of
> the supply, and LABEL THEM. Tape all those "extra" wires into a big
> lump with electrical tape.
I find that regular terminal blocks work well.
i
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