Techno Teardown

Techno Teardown!

Have you ever gotten in trouble for taking things apart to see how they work? 

As a parent of a boy, I know how that works but what if we make that a 4-H project? Clearly, you still have to ask your parents if you can reverse engineer an old toy but if it's for 4-H, you might just get a YES! 

Reverse engineering is when you take objects apart to see how they work. Old electronic toys, cassette, VCR and CD players, blowdryers, computer towers, gaming consoles, printers, and kitchen appliances can all be fun to take apart. 

Before you get started, there are a

few guidelines you should follow. 

1. ASK permission before you take anything apart. This is what will keep you out of trouble. 

2. Safety glasses are important, trust me! Parts can go flying if you aren't careful. 

3. No screens or TVs! This just isn't safe and there are plenty of other things you can take apart. 

4.  Do your best to use tools to take things apart and don't just break it. This is safer and it's easier to figure out how things work if you figure out how to take it apart. Think of it as part of the fun. 

5. ASK permission!! I know I already said that but I don't want to get in trouble with you mom so please ask first. 

What will you need to reverse engineer?

1. Something to take apart. It doesn't have to be big or seem complex to be interesting on the inside. I've helped kids take apart everything from an ATM machine to a signing Elmo and it is all fun.

2. Tools! A verity of small screwdrivers, alan wrenches, and wire cutters will get you started.

3. SAFETY GLASSES! I already said that but it is important and who doesn't like looking like a mad scientist. 

4. A place to work. Here's the deal, the kitchen table might not be the best place for this so ask where your parents want you to set up shop. Ideally, you want a place you can work on something for a couple of days. You also need somewhere that the surface you are working on won't get all scratched up or it's ok if it does. 

So how can this be made into a 4-H project?

Here are some ideas.

1. A poster with before and after pictures of your project. Lable what you find and how it works.

2. Build something new out of the parts you took out of your broken objects. 

3. Do a demonstration showing how you took your project apart. I recently saw a couple of 4-Hers do this on a Zoom and it was great.  

4. Use this project to encourage us to others to reuse and recycle electronics. 

Here are some resources to get you started. 

Reverse Engineering Guide/Worksheet

Khan Academy Videos of Reverse Engineering

Exploratorium - Toy Take Apart

This is a project that could fall under a few categories depending on what you are reverse engineering but remember there is always the Self-Determined project!