Taking apart machines provides great insight into their inner workings. We use so many gadgets and machines every day, but often we don’t know what makes them work. Opening the machine up allows us to see all the different parts and understand a little more about how they work.
These activities are part of Science World's Big Science for Little Hands program. They were developed and tested with Preschool and Kindergarten educators.
Gadgets and Contraptions printable guide
Take apart complex machines to see how the parts work together.
Old/used toasters
Hair dryers
Rotary Telephones
Clocks with large gears
Screwdrivers and other hand tools
Book The Way Things Work by David Macaulay, or the website How Stuff Works
Camera (optional)
Hint: Thrift stores are good places to purchase older appliances
Safety Notes: Children must be supervised at all times. Some appliances will contain sharp pieces. Avoid taking apart televisions and large screens, which can store charge and pose a shock risk. Remove batteries before giving appliances to children. Once an appliance has been taken apart, do not use again.
Hint: Practice taking apart the appliances beforehand and loosen all the screws. Avoid appliances that are highly digital/computerized – there’s not much to “see” inside.
About the sticker
Survivors
Artist: Jeff Kulak
Jeff is a senior graphic designer at Science World. His illustration work has been published in the Walrus, The National Post, Reader’s Digest and Chickadee Magazine. He loves to make music, ride bikes, and spend time in the forest.
About the sticker
Egg BB
Artist: Jeff Kulak
Jeff is a senior graphic designer at Science World. His illustration work has been published in the Walrus, The National Post, Reader’s Digest and Chickadee Magazine. He loves to make music, ride bikes, and spend time in the forest.
About the sticker
Comet Crisp
Artist: Jeff Kulak
Jeff is a senior graphic designer at Science World. His illustration work has been published in the Walrus, The National Post, Reader’s Digest and Chickadee Magazine. He loves to make music, ride bikes, and spend time in the forest.
About the sticker
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Artist: Michelle Yong
Michelle is a designer with a focus on creating joyful digital experiences! She enjoys exploring the potential forms that an idea can express itself in and helping then take shape.
About the sticker
Buddy the T-Rex
Artist: Michelle Yong
Michelle is a designer with a focus on creating joyful digital experiences! She enjoys exploring the potential forms that an idea can express itself in and helping then take shape.
About the sticker
Geodessy
Artist: Michelle Yong
Michelle is a designer with a focus on creating joyful digital experiences! She enjoys exploring the potential forms that an idea can express itself in and helping then take shape.
About the sticker
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Artist: Ty Dale
From Canada, Ty was born in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1993. From his chaotic workspace he draws in several different illustrative styles with thick outlines, bold colours and quirky-child like drawings. Ty distils the world around him into its basic geometry, prompting us to look at the mundane in a different way.
About the sticker
Western Dinosaur
Artist: Ty Dale
From Canada, Ty was born in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1993. From his chaotic workspace he draws in several different illustrative styles with thick outlines, bold colours and quirky-child like drawings. Ty distils the world around him into its basic geometry, prompting us to look at the mundane in a different way.
About the sticker
Time-Travel T-Rex
Artist: Ty Dale
From Canada, Ty was born in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1993. From his chaotic workspace he draws in several different illustrative styles with thick outlines, bold colours and quirky-child like drawings. Ty distils the world around him into its basic geometry, prompting us to look at the mundane in a different way.
