A giant GAME OF LIFE made out of circuit boards? On Sunday, August 9, visitors to KID Museum and staff began building just that in preparation for KID Museum’s signature event, Maker Faire. At this soldering workshop, participants were taught how to join wires and attach electrical components onto circuit boards by melting a filler metal (solder) into the joints. The circuit boards, once attached together, combine together to create beautiful lights patterns. As always, KID Museum staff and apprentices emphasized safety. “It looked pretty dangerous for me, but now I know how to do it, and it’s pretty cool” said a 9-year old. KID Museum uses lead-free solder, which is better for our environment and safer for children (and adults too!).
These blinking boards will be displayed at Maker Faire Silver Spring, a free public festival for adults and children of all ages that complements the creative, hands-on activities offered at KID Museum throughout the year. Inventors, hackers, crafters, artists, and do-it-yourselfers of all kinds will come together to engage the public in interactive “maker” activities – from robot building to textile design, and everything in between. The kids not only learned a new skill during this soldering workshop, they also worked together to build this awesome project. A big thank you to our young electrical engineers, and see you all at Maker Faire Silver Spring next month! Don’t miss it – September 20 at Silver Spring Civic Center!
