Embedded Files
Watch Case Western Student, Keeyon, take apart his computer keyboard & explain how the circuit board works
Watch Case Western Student, Joseph, show us what's "Under The Hood" of a 30-year old analog stopwatch
We'd love to see videos and photos from your breakerspace process and share them here & on our YouTube as well!
The Breakerspace is our favorite method of choice to really learn how something works. We have so many objects in our every day life and with a few simple steps, can learn so much more about their function. We've briefly outlined four different ways to approach the challenge of "learning how something works" through closer inspection of its parts. Find the method that works for you to more deeply understand the parts, purposes, and complexities of an obejct... and happy breaking!
Remember to read our notes on Breakerspace Safety before beginning any of these challenges! And please do not begin any of the following activities without asking your parents' permission first to make sure they are comfortable with you working with that item.
Take It Apart & Photograph
(The McLellan Method)
Our most popular kind of "Breakerspace" in the Innovation Lab. Take apart your item completely - all the way down to the last screw. You'll want to have some screwdrivers on hand for this. Separate all pieces into their different categories. Lay them out on a light piece of paper or fabric and take one photo showing all the parts that make up your item.
Fix Something!
Everyone has a "to-do" list of things to fix around the house. This week is your chance! Replace the batteries in your smoke detectors, change a lightbulb that's burned out, fix a lock that won't turn smoothly, replace the water filter in your refrigerator (then take the old one apart to see how it works) or even watch a YouTube video to help learn how to fix a broken part of a machine. By deciding to fix something yourself, you are going to learn a lot about how that machine or object works in the first place.
Mine For Parts
Find an old object that's no longer in use around your home. A great example might be an old toy that is broken or no longer played with, but it might be full of usable parts that you can give a new life to. Disassemble the toy and think about ways you can use all its components. The motor and wheels can easily be put to good use by building a new car of your own design! Make sure to properly dispose of any old batteries and recycle the leftover plastic pieces if you can.
Under The Hood
In this activity, you would open the hood or take off the protective casing around a machine or piece of equipment to get a sense of all the parts that make it work. Many of our appliances have a complex system of wires, gears, circuits, and hoses that make them work, and are encased in a nice cover to give them a nice finished look and also protect people from any leaking material or hot parts. With the help of a parent, lift up the hood of your car and learn about all the parts that make an engine work. Take off the casing around an old sewing machine or toaster (of course, remove all wires and never plug anything in while working in the breakerspace!). There are helpful how-to videos for everything on YouTube to learn how to safely remove a cover and replace it when you have finished. Your goal is to see the parts that are inside.
Reminder: Safety in Your Breakerspace
We do not recommend working with anything that has a rechargeable battery or a screen; as some of these objects can hold a residual charge.
We do not recommend you work with larger items that have a motor or spinning blade (like an old lawnmower or snowblower!) because of possible tension that could be built up in the motor of that machine.
We have found the best items to start with have been old computer keyboards, broken plastic toys, or simple machine equipment that can come apart into multiple pieces, as they materials used to make these are generally safe.
Optional safety glasses might be helpful if working with parts you have to pry apart.
Optional gloves may be helpful if you are working with something that is oily, print cartridges, or soldered circuits/motherboards.
Set up a work station separate from where you typically would eat food
If able, cover your work station with light paper or a sheet. This helps you see small parts easier so they don't fall on the floor.
First things first, cut all external cords and remove any batteries. Hand these to an adult for disposal.
Save all tiny pieces in a plastic Ziploc so they do not end up in a younger sibling or pet's possession. You'll also need these for your photograph later.
Use caution when working with screwdrivers or a pry. You do not need to work fast.
Wash your hands whenever you leave your breakerspace activity.
Share your project and making photos with us!
Email to makerspace@hawken.edu to feature on our Instagram
Tag @HawkenFabPlay in your photos/ instastories
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