March-April 2009 Selected Content

Take a bunch of kids, a pile of broken machines, and a dozen screwdrivers. Mix them together in an empty space. Adults take a step back (a few deep breaths won't hurt, either). At first, the group might be a bit hesitant, unsure how to proceed, the room a bit quiet. There may be some questions: "Is it alright? Can I do this? What about this? Are you sure?" But once the kids are assured that they can use any and all tools on any and all machines, then the place will start to buzz.

Soon inhibitions will go shirking into the corners. Kids will work together - alone, in big or small groups. They'll compare, ask each other questions, make suggestions. The room will be a blur of discovering, uncovering, removing, replacing, tinkering, showing, poking, trying. And possibly smashing.

This is just what happened during the program I arranged for my homeschool cooperative. I wanted an inexpensive activity that would work for a wide age range. I also wanted it to be fun, fun, fun. I had read about industrious kids taking apart toasters or machines at the kitchen table, and I thought it might work for a group. So I sent out e-mails and spread the word with friends: I want your broken machines. Many, many people were happy to finally have a home for their printers or clocks or calculators that no longer worked, but still took up space in attics or sheds. I gathered tools and asked other parents to bring their tools to share as well.

Weeks before the program, I shared the plan with kids and fellow parents. I hoped everyone would have time to get comfortable with the idea (and the mayhem that might result). I considered giving the activity a gentle title like, "What's Inside?" or "How Does It Work?" But in the end, I called it "Destruction" and crossed my fingers that it would be constructive.

The activity gained steam after a slow start, as the kids understood our goals (have fun and explore!) and focused on a machine or two to disassemble. The group kept at it for close to two hours, and nearly every available item was unscrewed or pried open in some way.

With many of my family's homeschooling experiences, we have to try a new art supply or a novel activity, just give it an open-ended go, before we gain direction and become purposeful. This is absolutely true of the Destruction program; the parents and kids now have lots of ideas we'll try next time. We'd love to have an experienced adult tinker-er take something apart with the kids, explaining his or her process while the kids help, perhaps focusing on how to diagnose broken machines and repair them. We'll also extend the activity with recycled crafts. We can take the machine innards, perhaps sort them into a few broad categories, then create with them - wind chimes, jewelry, yard art, more. Next time, I also will be sure there are many, many tiny screwdrivers on hand. A surprising number of machines are held together with tiny screws and need very small tools to be undone.

I wholeheartedly endorse a little dose of Destruction in your family's life. Cut the cord off an alarm clock; then leave it with some tools on the coffee table. Or gather a herd of broken machines and bring them to the next meeting of your homeschool cooperative. Then enjoy the sounds of metal against metal and kids asking questions.

Safety Note

As for safety concerns, my research revealed a few precautions: remove any batteries from machines before tinkering with them; don't plug in corded machines while working on them. We didn't take apart computer monitors or televisions, as they can hold high voltages, even when unplugged. We also avoided smoke detectors and non-digital thermostats, to avoid mercury or radioactive elements. I discovered that eye protection is a good idea as well, as a few children really wanted to smash small components outside (since they couldn't find another way to take them completely apart).

© 2009, Nancy Walters