I have developed a hand held Animated Buttfly  Make & Take activity for
children. They design a paper butterfly or other creature, cut it out and
mount it on an amimating module. Then they hold it in their hand as it is
flying. Because the butterfly flaps it's wings in random patterns the
younger children believe their creature has come alive! First they touch the
moving wings then they touch the magnets that are propelling the butterfly.
Finally they turn the unit upside down to see what happens. The butterfly
does stop moving. I show them how to push on the butterflie's body which
causes the butterfly to increase it's rate of flapping. They all think this
is neat! When their curiosity is satisfied they remove their butterfly and
take it home.
   This creative activity is perfectly suited to 3 - 7 year old children,
most stay engaged for 15 to 20 minutes. The modules have survived two
national venues [a children's museum and a science museum]of 90 days and 8
hours a day with a minimual of repair. Many other types of creature can be
animated, bees, bats, spidder, dragon flies, and any type of bug that
wiggles. If you are interested in recieving information about the Animated
Butterfly activity please contact Roger Sonntag at [log in to unmask] or
585-338-7001  General Science & Engineering     Touchable & Creative

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