What is the policy of approximately 30, 8 year old kids from a school in Arlington visiting during a week day?
I presume:
Each must have a signed by parent WAVIER.
A minimum number of chaperones per kid.
What else, IF allowed at all?
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Hi Jeff,
We have had a fair few groups tour the DMS. The main concern is waivers signed and in your case enough adults to keep the kids from playing in the space. As they won’t be using tool, that is about all you need.
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A general thought for folks bringing a big tour group through at a non-standard time: you can send out a message in advance to committees of special interest to your folks on the off chance there is a member available to come up do some work that conincides with your visit. Often visitor tours need to be pretty zip-zip-quick, but if you are looking to make a trip more impactful, let DMS members know.
A laser just sitting there is moderately cool, a laser running a job is much, much cooler. A pottery wheel? Boring. Someone throwing at a pottery wheel, way more interesting. It’s not a guarantee that there will be anyone free/interested, but worth a quick Talk message for sure.
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2 cents from PR and BOD.
I am going to be a Curmudgeon about this. DMS is pretty unfriendly to children. I am not saying the culture. I am saying machinery and policies around age, which are needed and work.
When I get these inquiries. I generally decline them.
We offer almost nothing for 8 years olds. Here are lots of interesting machines, you cannot touch for 10 years. I do not see that as beneficial to them.
Also, we need Tour Guides. AND we are pretty short in that area too.
I would like to know who approved this too. It is not a sin. It is not clear communication either. As you can guess from my above comments, I would not have been open to this tour.
Let me know what you need, etc. Who is hosting and who is running the tour?
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@jeffhess I give tours on Wednesday’s 11-1, or can do other times. I think this is an idea that can be expanded on. I agree with Chris, things need to be happening around the space, on some weekdays it is usually quite until after lunch time. We could find simple projects, (paint something?) @Committee_Chairs
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We offer almost nothing for 8 years olds. Here are lots of interesting machines, you cannot touch for 10 years. I do not see that as beneficial to them.
Disagree. I toured a Caterpillar factory when I was about 13 and saw an engine blocks being manufactured. I certainly wasn’t about to start programming robotic arms (nor am I ever likely to be involved with manufacturing at that level), but it remains a formative memory for my interest in engineering. Even if kids can’t join they can still be inspired to make.
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Does not look like a done deal Diplomat just an inquiry.
I was just offered a lot of free bisque and I have acrylic paints. I also have rocks and acrylic paint for painted rocks. From my BSing with a personal injury attorney it’s probably not a great idea to encourage under 18s at DMS but if this happens and I can take off work, I’m willing to help.
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I thinks it’s a great opportunity for 30 kids to go home and tell their parents about the space, parent to tell their Co workers, and the teachers to tell other teachers.
I defiantly think this could inspire some cildren. In first grade my sons class went to a cabinet shop. They got to hit nails into a small board, and keep the board. He was sooo stoked about getting to hit nails into a board and bring his project home. He talked and talked about it. How do we inspire with out exposing them to someehing harmful is the magic question.
I would think twice about having a Lazer going when kids are watching, unless we have 30 - 50 pairs of glasses for kids, parents, and guides. How about a quick video of the lasers in action playing and the finished project on display? Then there is woodsop & Metal shop 
how do they get the jist of it without seeing equipment in action? videos also maybe?
My big thought is, change it from a tour to and Art Fest for kids.? tour them up front only, from room to room in a conga line, keeping them out of the warehouse. Then have each classroom set up with quickie station. Water color on a 5x5 piece of water color paper, a small stamp print. Set up, a tiny bag screen print, how to spin yarn, print their name on the silhouette ect … but this would take a big commitment from a lot of volunteers on a week day.
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Videos of the equipment at DMS instead of allowing them in the workshop seems like a great compromise. We don’t even need to create a video, we can just show videos of various tools that are probably already on YouTube, explain briefly how the tool works and give them a simple craft to do. This advertises DMS to teachers and parents without much risk to DMS - if there are enough volunteers on a week day.
My idea would be to keep the big group in the front Have several work stations where
they could do make and takes, I can come up with a couple of jewelry one
Then take a smaller group 6-8 to the back Let them see some folks working
back there The DMS guide does the explaining what is happening
Then they come up front and another group goes t the back
We would have to think about what we show them Keep them out of the foorm the induction forge would be
wonderfulness Ansonizinng niobium NO way Who knows what they might try
A place the teacher/parents might want to check out (or alternatively check out) would be the Frisco discovery center frisco kids science - Google Search
Or the Perot but combined with the ticket and bus rental it’s an expensive voyage as a field trip.
Or possibly visit various makerspaces within community libraries. I take kids to all sorts of strange corners of the world.
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Print something with clear resin on the Form 2 in 3D Fab. The laser can be seen dancing on the piece as it materializes.
Printmaking did a open house, most of which is kid friendly. Having this during working hours will cut back the number of volunteers dramatically, however.
Real world folks. Lots of people are weighing in that this is a great idea and great ways to keep children safe.
This is part of my standing “No”. 1. We are not setup to execute. 2. We do not have the people to staff the concepts.
Boots on the ground. Who is willing to volunteer to help?
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You have a point D most of us work during the week. It’s Still a great idea.
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Weill I would be willing to help
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We travel a lot, but during the week if you give me warning, I can help. Tuesdays-Thursdays
I can even sew in front of them… something cool and quirky.
[side note] Even as a grownup, I can’t tell you how excited I was just looking through the window of the woodshop here the first time and seeing people cut stuff. Don’t underestimate how watching can infect curiosity.
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