Kids intrigued by handmade flashlights at OH WOW! today

YOUNGSTOWN

What can you do with some breath mints, batteries, buttons and bulbs?

Well, after the mints are gone, you can use the other things, plus a few other basic materials, to build a flashlight.

That’s what kids at the OH WOW! Roger and Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science and Technology did this afternoon. It was one of the programs offered through the downtown center’s InspireWorks Project, said Audra Carlson, education manager.

“Every Saturday from noon to 1 p.m., we have some sort of hands-on project for kids,” Carlson said.

This week it was making hand-held flashlights using empty Altoids mint tins, light bulbs, batteries, push-button switches, tin foil, wire and electrical tape. And of course, safety glasses.

Kids ages 10-14 were given a tray of materials to make the lights, and then guided through the process either by OH WOW! staff and volunteers, or by their parents or other adults.

The project helped teach children the basics of electronics, she said. All projects are science-related, in keeping with the OH WOW! theme.

Next Saturday’s project will be building mini-microscopes using blocks of wood, some wire and flattened lenses. A chemistry project is slated for Feb. 14.

Richard Blair of Boardman had actually just come to the museum Saturday to visit a friend who was working there. But when his 11-year-old son, also named Richard, heard about the flashlight project, he wanted to stay and build one, so they did.

The younger Blair, sporting a T-shirt that said “Captain Awesome” across the front, patiently worked on his project, with his father’s assistance, and said he was interested because he’d never done anything quite like it.

“It’s cool,” young Blair said. “I built a robot [from a kit] once, but this is different. I like it.”

Read more about the day in Sunday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.