{"id":11520,"date":"2018-11-28T13:19:22","date_gmt":"2018-11-28T13:19:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.potentialplusuk.org\/?p=11520"},"modified":"2024-04-16T17:49:03","modified_gmt":"2024-04-16T16:49:03","slug":"top-tinkering","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/potentialplusuk.org\/index.php\/2018\/11\/28\/top-tinkering\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Tinkering"},"content":{"rendered":"

Following on from the Engineer It<\/em><\/a> article, this introduction to tinkering for younger children suggests how you can connect your child to design, which is one of engineering\u2019s most important aspects. Tinkering can be a joy for young children with high learning potential because they can take apart everyday objects to see how they work, gain practical know-how and use their minds to think about improving processes necessary for a successful outcome. Above all your child can be an inventor!<\/p>\n

Here are some ideas for tinkering at home:<\/p>\n

Build Your Own Marble Run<\/h3>\n

You will need<\/p>\n

    \n
  • a large lidless cardboard box<\/li>\n
  • an egg carton<\/li>\n
  • assorted cardboard tubes<\/li>\n
  • marbles<\/li>\n
  • scissors<\/li>\n
  • sticky tack<\/li>\n
  • masking tape.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Basic physics is part of the fun with this low-cost activity.\u00a0 <\/strong>Collect a few cardboard tubes and cut them in half lengthways. Tape them together inside the large box to form long channels. If there are flaps in the cardboard box, you can use them as ramps. Cut other \u00a0tubes to different lengths to use them as supports for the downward-sloping channels. Place the egg carton in position to catch the marbles.<\/p>\n

    If your child wants to send their marbles along different routes, tape on a cardboard tab that can be swapped from place to place to change the marble directions.\u00a0 Can they think about ways to make their marbles take longer to complete the run?<\/p>\n

    Discuss how changing the slope of the channel affects speed (gravity-induced acceleration).\u00a0 Explain that differently sized marbles should have about the same speed, because they feel the same force of gravity. If you have a range of marble sizes, try it!<\/p>\n

    \"Furby\"<\/p>\n

    Take It Apart!<\/h3>\n

    Got an old clock, keyboard, computer motherboard, or broken toy? Help your child open it up and let them examine the mechanisms. Answer their questions about the components. They\u2019ll love discovering the internal construction and this activity suits inquiring minds! Bear in mind safety issues (even spent batteries may carry a small charge) and avoid high-voltage equipment.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    STEM Corner<\/h3>\n

    Inventing is a creative problem-solving process. Let your child discover how innovative they can be and find their own solutions to problems. Provide boxes, cardboard, scissors, bubble wrap, colouring pens, glue, empty plastic containers, tape and embellishments such as ribbons, sequins and foil and get inventing. They might make anything from a hospital, an obstacle course, a home or even a rocket launch pad. When the product is finished, ask your child what worked well and leave them to play and adapt it.<\/p>\n

    \"LED<\/p>\n

    Classy Circuit Christmas Cards<\/h3>\n

    Add an artistic dimension with light-up cards. Requirements: an LED (5mm); conductive pen; plain card; 3 volt coin cell battery in a battery holder.<\/p>\n

    Push the positive and negative tabs of the battery holder through the card. Likewise push the wires of the LED through the card. Cut a small square flap of card from the edge, so that it can bend back and touch the card. This will be your power switch. Apply conductive pen marking to the surface of this flap.<\/p>\n

    Run a conductive pen trail from the positive tab of the battery to the area of the card that will be covered by this switch. Run another trail from this switch area to the positive terminal of the LED. Finally run a trail from the negative of the LED to the negative of the battery. When everything\u2019s in place, folding the flap over will light up the LED. Decorate as desired.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n