How Fasten-ating!

Pins, nails, paper clips, zippers, thread, tape, glue. What do all of these objects have in common? They fasten things together. Where would we be without fasteners? At loose ends….    Fasten your eyes on these activities about fasteners. You may find them fasten-ating/

CONNECT:

• See history as it is revealed through buttons: http://www.slate.com/articles/life/design/2012/06/button_history_a_visual_tour_of_button_design_through_the_ages_.html
• Nails are over 5000 years old! Screws are about half that age. Read about the history of buidling fasteners at http://www.constructionmagnet.com/rural-builder/the-history-and-evolution-of-building-fasteners
• How does a zipper work? The secret is in the use of a wedge, one of the 6 basic machines. Read the explanation at http://mocomi.com/how-does-a-zipper-work/, and watch how a zipper works at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEf28mF4DoY
• Watch how paper clips are manufactured at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrGU9nZlBVY
• What do plant burrs have to do with fasteners? They inspired Velcro. Trace Velcro’s history at http://hookandloop.com/invention-velcro-brand/
• What’s the Scotch in Scotch tape? How was it invented? Here’s the story: http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2014/12/scotch-tape-invented-scottish/

CREATE:

• Make your own glue and paste for craft projects; you can even color it. Just follow the directions at http://www.familyeducation.com/fun/art-supplies/homemade-glue-and-paste-recipes
• How can a candy wrapper act as a fastener? When it links to other candy wrapper. Try making this Starburst wrapper bracelet: http://fluffyland.com/blog/index.php/starburst-wrapper-bracelet-tutorial/ (tip: you can use lots of different kinds of wrappers, including gum wrappers or money….)
• Here are 24 fun things to make with buttons: http://www.tipjunkie.com/post/make-button/
• Make a tool belt – for yourself or a favorite tool user: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h91Spv4oGyk

CARE:

• Fine motor skills are essential in using lots of tools, from pencils to computers – and even helping them learn to read. Knowing how to use a zipper can help a child learn and practice fine motor skills. The following article helps parents teach their little ones the wonders of zippers: http://www.ilslearning.com/2015-03-zip-it-use-early-fine-motor-development-skill-reading-writing-brain/
• Having a screw loose can be dangerous. You also need to be careful using a screwdriver. See these safety rules: https://www.unr.edu/Documents/research/ehs/occupational-safety/machine-shop/ScrewdriverSafetyRules.pdf
• Knots are really handy at home, for sports, in medicine, and for rescues. Learn abuot the basics of knots, how to make them, and when to use them: http://www.animatedknots.com
• “A stitch in time saves nine.” Repairing clothing, such as reattaching a button or stitching up a rip, keeps your clothes wearable for a longer time. Watch how to do simple repairs at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DDipUdm37o
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySlHtsFauVQ
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjmUaWkzF-I  

 
CAREERS:

Fastening things together: that’s the heart of manufacturing. And part of manufcturing is producing the fasteners themselves (as the paper clip video illustrated). Think of all the jobs that require fastening: the clothing industry, jewelry making, carpentry and construction, welding, surgery, and of course inventing. Here are a few of those fasten-ating careers.

• Manufacturing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJxNEhd_IAg
• Interview with an architect: https://plus.maths.org/content/os/issue26/interview/index
• So you want to be a surgeon: https://www.facs.org/education/resources/residency-search
• Careers in construction: http://www.careersinconstruction.ca/en/careers
• Fashion and textile careers: http://creativeskillset.org/creative_industries/fashion_and_textiles/job_roles

I Spy with my LIttle Eye

Spies! They continue to serve as information gatherers and dispensers, regardless of the side for which they work. They can sound glamorous, sinister, heroic, or criminal. The following activities spy into their activities.

CONNECT:

• What is the Central Intelligence Agency, and what do they do? https://www.cia.gov/kids-page/index.html includes a history of intelligence work, the CIA World Factbook, and even friendly aerial reconnaissance pigeons.
• Spies played important roles in the American Revolutoin. Uncover their secrets at http://www.ducksters.com/history/american_revolution/spies.php
• Harriet Tubman was a spy for the Union during Civil War, and helpd slaves escaped to freedom. Read about this remarkable woman at http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/history/harriet-tubman/#harriet_lg.jpg
• Here is a list of great books to tween spies: http://www.criminalelement.com/blogs/2012/12/eight-great-books-for-your-tween-spy-f-t-bradley-middle-grade-young-adult-fiction

CREATE:

• Create a message using http://www.thunk.com/
• Learn how to be a spy kid at http://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Spy-Kid
• Imagine being an undercover agent. The sources are there for you at http://www.topspysecrets.com/
• Investigate the spy museum virtually at http://www.spymuseum.org/education-programs/kids-families/kidspy-zone/
• Try some of these activities for kids who like to play spy:  http://amomwithalessonplan.com/spy-activities-for-kids/
• Plan a spy-themed party using the ideas at https://mysteryfactory.com/kids-party-games/

CARE:

• All youth need a sense of privacy; here are some tips: http://www.parenting.com/article/a-childs-need-for-privacy
• Here are some tips on protecting a child’s privacy online: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/privacy-and-internet-safety/how-do-i-protect-my-kids-privacy-online
• Here’s the government perspect on children’s privacy: https://kids.usa.gov/about-us/privacy/index.shtml
• Know aobut Internet safety: http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/net-safety.html

CAREERS:

Like to sleuth and uncover information? There’s a career for you. Here are some career avenues to investigate.

https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/fun-games/kids/kids-investigate

https://www.cia.gov/kids-page

http://www.kidzworld.com/article/7261-becoming-a-secret-agent