Un-maker Space Safety Concerns

[Josh Stock]

I recently read an article about allowing kids some "unmaker" time.  I remember as a kid my dad used to bring home old electronics from work (giant old printers, etc.), hand my brothers and I some screwdrivers, and let us take it apart.  I used to love to take things apart.  I think this is a valuable experience in seeing how things work.  However, I'm just a Language Arts teacher and do maker space time as a club after school, so I'm not sure about safety guidelines/concerns.

What safety concerns/safety materials do I need in place if I allow kids to take apart old electronics?  Obviously nothing would be plugged in, and  I currently have safety goggles.

[Adam Singer]

Fun and engaging activity! Things with moving parts like old VCRs and toasters are great. Besides some metal parts being sharp on the inside, you'll want to watch for items that can be holding charge, like rechargeable batteries. Never take apart items that have a CRT screen (non-flat screen, like old TVs and computer monitors) in them, as they have large capacitors in them that can hold a potentially lethal charge long after they've been unplugged.

Adam Singer

Technology Teacher

Davidson Middle School

On Dec 5, 2014, at 10:19 AM, "Josh Stock" <teachli...@gmail.com> wrote:

I recently read an article about allowing kids some "unmaker" time.  I remember as a kid my dad used to bring home old electronics from work (giant old printers, etc.), hand my brothers and I some screwdrivers, and let us take it apart.  I used to love to take things apart.  I think this is a valuable experience in seeing how things work.  However, I'm just a Language Arts teacher and do maker space time as a club after school, so I'm not sure about safety guidelines/concerns.

What safety concerns/safety materials do I need in place if I allow kids to take apart old electronics?  Obviously nothing would be plugged in, and  I currently have safety goggles.

--
For a compilation of resources/links/etc mentioned on this forum, visit: https://sites.google.com/site/k12makers/
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "K-12 Fab Labs and Makerspaces" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to k-12-fablabs...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to k-12-f...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/k-12-fablabs/b92384bf-f6d3-40a0-8cf3-a51cfdcb2844%40googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

[Joseph Chiu]

Sometimes, dead batteries that have been left in discarded electronics will leak their acidic electrolyte.  There's also very likely lead in older electronics.  And cheap electronics often times have flux left on the board.  Children should be reminded to wash up after they are done with any take-apart activity.

The majority of PCB's contain fiberglass - do not cut/drill the boards, as that will release fiberglass dust.

Some devices will have lubricants on parts - not so much a danger, but that can stain clothes.

Parts do sometimes fly apart with force, so it's good that you've started with goggles.  I used to TA a class in electronics, and I've witnessed several explosive incidents - enough to automatically be nervous when I'm not wearing my glasses around the workbench - and that has saved me a few times in the 20 years since I've developed the habit! 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/k-12-fablabs/5B34BDE3-1D2D-48B7-B12B-47C4EF91F16C%40srcs.org.

[van...@aaps.k12.mi.us]

I didn't come up with this, but I have this resource filed away for the next time I do this kind of activity with kids:

http://makerjunior.com/blogs/learn-create-innovate/15563961-how-to-safely-take-things-apart

My own take: it's a great thing to allow kids to do, with a few specific but easily followed safety protocols required.

Bill