Saturday, January 19, 2013

Be Afraid, Tesla, Very Afraid

This year Zaya is taking Electric Circuits at our Friday School Co-op, and loving it. They've asked each student to work on making their own circuit-project. I knew from the moment I read Mrs. B's e-mail that it would be Art, and not myself, who helped with this project. He was more than happy to do so, of course. Any chance to play with electricity. The only thing that would make them all happier would be if it was a "make your own fireworks" type lesson.

As usual, they have gone far, far beyond where they were supposed to go, I think. They're currently discussing electricity at an atomic level, rather than saying things like. "Stick this wire here and the pretty light comes on," which is how I would have started the conversation.

Mim was making towers and houses out of the parts for a while (her default activity is to build something out of whatever is in front of her), but then found a solar panel, and is now using it to tickle herself. Hence the grin.

At some point I will have to go recommend that they close up shop for the morning. Art has a lot more patience for technical talk than the kids do, unless Zaya's really interested, in which case it could go on for a long time.

We will see what this project becomes when it's all said and done. Originally, Zaya wanted it to be a light that comes on with a switch on a scavenged remote control. Again, I know as little as possible about all of this, which is why it's great that he's working with Art. Mim is the one who helped him come up with the idea and disassemble their broken RC vehicle. It's definitely a group endeavor, but most things are. Just another benefit of doing school at home.

1 comment:

Lilibeth said...

It's a good thing your kids have a dad like 'Art'...oh wait, it's because of 'Art' that they are interested in the first place. But if they were writing melodramas and acting them out, they'd need you.