Wednesday, November 05, 2014

rain gauges (and Mora Knives)

Yesterday when I got to school, our science teacher and kids were making anemometers from paper cups, and thermometers from soda straws, alcohol and colored water. So our making rain gauges and hygrometers in wood shop fit right in. Our science teacher mentioned the importance of science, and I reminded her that without crafts there would be no science. Early weather instruments and exploratory apparatus of all kinds were made from wood or used finely crafted wood as a component, and all the early scientists relied upon crafts as the basis of their experimentation.

The simple rain gauge requires a 1 in. diameter pill bottle, and a 26 mm. drill bit.
In addition, we received an order for Mora Sloyd knives from Lee Valley Tool Company. I have been wanting to get a set of these knives for our Clear Spring School wood shop. They have laminated steel blades with steel in the center carefully formulated to hold a perfect edge. The softer steel on the outside provides strength and flexibility.

Knives from Mora, Sweden were the tools of choice for Educational Sloyd as it made its way around the world in the late 1800's. Is there a relationship between these fine knives and the study of science? You can't successfully whittle a stick without formulating and acting upon simple hypotheses, whether they are written or spoken or not.

Make, fix and create...

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