Electronic Learning Kit - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Anson
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2013, 12:41:33 am
content: My daughter has started to show an interest in electronics. She has been playing around with my mess for the last few days. I would love to get her one of those plug and play electronic learning centers but I cannot afford one. Does anyone have one they would like to donate? It doesn't have to be fancy she is 7 so even one of those plastic click lock circuit board things would be fine.

author: Joules
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2013, 06:14:24 pm
content: I would start her off by taking old toys that have motors and lights in them apart. Then just buy wire and batteries to make the parts power up and gradually build up a bin of parts from old toys, radios and what ever you can lay your hands on. If she grows out of it, just throw it all out... You never know she may even become Dave in a skirt

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2013, 06:15:37 pm
content: Quote from: Joules on April 17, 2013, 06:14:24 pmBecause isn't that how we all started?

author: Joules
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2013, 06:18:49 pm
content: Started!!! I'm not sure I got much further... Though the parts bin is now an entire garage.

author: Anson
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2013, 06:54:28 pm
content: Quote from: Joules on April 17, 2013, 06:14:24 pmThat's kinda what we are doing for now. My wife won't allow me to take apart good working toys but we have attempted "repair" on a few. Most everything now days is chip on board and plastic film crap. not really much to look at. A small board with a few resistors and a big black spot. I have a small breadboard with some LED's and a few different switches but I would like to have a more intuitive electronics learning board. I just can't afford it right now. Hate having to wait on something she may end up losing interest without further stimulus.I would also like to teach her to solder. But don't really want to waste solder on soldering old parts back onto old boards that make nothing. Would be better for her to complete her own kit placing each component and soldering them on. I think the achievement of a working completed project would give her a great amount of encouragement to learn even more. But being on disability and fixed income I simply cannot afford much more than I already spend. That and I am finding it difficult to find any real interesting kits in a decent price range.

author: Joules
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2013, 07:48:46 pm
content: OK, you want to introduce her to components at near zero cost. Have a look at this site and the examples of circuits.http://www.falstad.com/circuit/There is also a software product that is excellent for teaching as its interactive and graphical so great for kids (of all ages) to visualise... It isn't free, but it is a sound investment, in fact I bet you would probably use it yourself. Its called iCircuit.http://icircuitapp.comHmmm not available for windows 7 or below, do you have a cheap Android tablet at all ?Teach her to desolder, then blob the empty pads to make a nice round joint. She will soon get the idea, the solder isn't wasted, it's invested in training.My Dad taught me around that age, by removing components out of TV pcb's, but then they were black and white TV's... A looong time ago.