Science Friday Kids' Connection^tm -- in association with Kidsnet
Do It Yourself (April 1, 2005, One)

Program Summary | Guests | Related Links and Resources | For Discussion | Activities | Hear the program | About Kids Connection | SFKC Home

Program Summary

Before cell phones, there were two tin cans and a string. Before digital cameras, there was a cardboard box with a hole in it. Before GPS, a compass made from a cork and a magnetized sewing needle. A doll out of a corncob. It used to be that we took pride in making stuff out of everyday items; now, in our disposable society, we’d rather buy it.

Ira’s guests keep the do-it-yourself spirit alive by creating workable items out of things lying around the house or found at the local hardware store. No need for expensive equipment. Got a penny in your pocket? It’s really a radio. Got water? You’ve got fire! Old calculator? Metal detector! Now if only they could turn lead into gold...

Guests

Philip Torrone, associate editor of Make Magazine in Seattle, Washington

Cy Tymony, author of 'Sneaky Uses for Everyday Things' (Andrews McMeel, 2003) in Los Angeles, California

Related Links and Resources

MakeZine.com
Sneaky Uses For Everyday Things
Hackaday.com

For Discussion:

• Have you ever made something out of everyday items? What gave you the idea? How did you figure out what to use?
• Would you call this process invention or innovation? What’s the difference?
• Would you rather make something yourself or buy it? Why?
• What is recycling? What kinds of things can be recycled? What are they made into?

Activities

Science on a dime.  The Science Club is a fantastic resource for do-it-yourself science experiments and projects.  It’s divided into simple, medium, and advanced difficulty, most of which can be built or performed with ordinary items.  You’ll also find book lists, science fair ideas, and lesson plan sites.  The hotlinks page lists dozens of other Web sites.   Try Bizarre Stuff You Can Make in Your Kitchen (with supervision, of course).

Aha! Sometimes spaghetti is more than just spaghetti. Every month, Real Simple magazine comes up with new uses for old things. A toothbrush holder becomes a flower arranger. A matchbook becomes an emery board. Show students a variety of household items and have them come up with alternative uses for them.

Learn by doing. Tech It or Leave It (New York Times Learning Network) explores innovation by studying beta testing of software. Students then design improvements for everyday items and explain why they’re needed. They dabble with invention in the Clever Contraptions lesson plan, which asks them to invent a device for use in everyday life. Discuss the difference between invention and innovation.

Check out the Kids’ Connection Technology Files:
May I Have This Roomba? A Real Robot (February 4, 2005, Hour One)
What's on Your Plate? Food Technology (July 30, 2004, Hour One)
Robot Race (March 12, 2004, Hour One)
Green Building (January 23, 2004, Hour Two, Part One)
Everyday Design (October 3, 2003, Hour Two)

Use the search box below to perform a Google search within any of the specifc sites or general domains mentioned in this Activities section.

Hear the Program

Listen to this program in RealAudio!

RealAudio archive courtesy of NPR Online. If nothing happens when you click the link, you may need to download a free player.