Panther @ Museum

Big Idea: We finally got the Panther teens to the museum to get them through a Power Tool Safety and Proficiency Test and get them started on building their Sound Sculptures.

Dates: Wednesday, February 22nd.

Groups Participating: Panther Teens

Attendance: Joshua, Jonathon and Michael

Software: None

Hardware: None

Materials: Miter box (saw guide), wood hand saw, metal hand saw, hot glue guns, hot glue sticks, lenths of peg board to hot glue over, hand drills, drill bits, various lengths of screws, extra charged batteries for hand drills, quick grips, table vices, power scroll saw, power drill, power sander, various wood poeces and sound materials.

Directions: To get them comfortable with thier working envirnment to build sound sculptures, I first gave them a tour of where to find things and I encouraged cleanliness by showing them where the trash cans were. As we toured we went from station to station and reviewed safety issues for each activity (ie. create a "safety circle" when working with any tools, glue guns are hot, use a vice grip when sawing, use table vices and first create a guide hole when drilling, etc.) Then we went to the power tools and did a detailed review of how to use them safely and proproperly...

1) Use safety googles
2) Check safety circle for people
3) Show the teens an example of safely using the tool first
4) Have each one of them safely use the tool in front of you
5) Make sure they know to use pieces of guide wood when cuts are made 3 inches from the blade/drill/sander or less.

After each teen passed our Power Tools Safety and Proficiency Test, we headed over to the supply table, where we first viewed an example of a sound sculpture. Then we had the teens spend some time exploring sounds some of the materials could make, and discussed how that sound could be incorporated with the motion of the cricket motor into a sculpture. Finally, we started building.

Associated Concepts: Confidence in using power tools Safely and creatively.

Best Part: At the end of the day, we alread had 3 sturdy stands built ready for addition of crickets.

Worst Part: Too short of a time period.

Improvements: Get the teens there right at 5:15pm