Materials
Old machines or gadgets that can be safely taken apart such as remote control, typewriter, telephone, radio
Child-size tools such as screwdrivers (flat head and Phillips), pliers, wrench, tweezers
Sorting baskets or bowls
Instructions
Note: This activity requires constant adult supervision. Any items used for disassembly should not have batteries or sharp components.
1. Gather safe, small machines and gadgets from yard sales or ask parents to bring in appropriate items.
2. Prepare the science center for a small group of children.
3. Provide enough gadgets so that each child will have something to work on.
4. Invite the children to the science center table.
5. Allow the children to touch and explore the tools and give names to the tools. Explain the rules and demonstrate how to use each tool.
6. Give each child a gadget to take apart.
7. As gadgets are taken apart, children can sort and classify parts such as screws, bolts, wires, etc., into bowls or baskets.More to doArt: Children dip machine/gadget parts in paint and stamp their imprints on paper.Math: Children develop a graph showing the number of screws, wires and other parts that were found in a particular machine.More science: Invite a machine repair technician to visit the class and explain in more detail how a particular machine works.
