[TheForge] living history demo for elementary students -whatwouldyou talk a

[Washington, Aubrey O.]

One thing that I've discovered amazes adults and children alike is a twist.  I pass something around that has a twist in it and ask them how they think it was done.  Many have no idea at all, others guess strange and difficult forging techniques or special tools.  Then I so a twist for them and amaze them with how simple it is.  Some pretend they knew it all the time and others slap their foreheads because they didn't think it could be so easy.

I agree with everyone who has said you need to keep talking.  Tell stories, tell history, but above all, describe what you are doing and how it works.  Many of the kids (especially the older ones) will want to stay and watch as long as the adults will let them.

A true story:  I was demoing at a med fair one morning and a group of high school age kids dropped by to watch.  After a few minutes, most of them moved on.  But three teenage girls stayed behind; they sat on the grass and watched me for an hour asking intelligent questions.  Then they jumped up and ran off.  In a few minutes they came back with their boyfriends.  All six of them watched for about another hour.  Then one of the boys jumped up and ran off.  In a few minutes he came back with the high school shop teacher.  By the end of the day those three girls had probably watched for about 3 hours and the shop teacher was making plans to set up a smithy in the high school shop.  He had also gotten information about how to join ABANA and our local affiliate.  I made a rose for each of the girls.

Aubrey

________________________________________
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net [theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Grover.Richardson at gtri.gatech.edu [Grover.Richardson at gtri.gatech.edu]
Sent: Thursday, August 28, 2008 7:07 AM
To: theforge at mailman.qth.net
Subject: RE: [TheForge] living history demo for elementary students     -whatwouldyou talk a

Have several 3-5 minutes spiels.  This way you can easily slip from one to another and make it seem like one.  Upon more than one occasion have I had to pick up something and ask "who have I told about this?"  Short spiels fit the time allotted or the attention span; and also keep you from wondering how long these people have been here.  If you get one hanging over the rail moon eyed and slobbering, he/she will be obvious, and will be there when the crowds have gone for more detailed info on how to start hammering.

I also have info on the local abana affiliates to tell them.

-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of firecracker131 at verizon.net
Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 7:49 PM