We get asked a lot if we can run basic repair skills workshops. I’m trying to come up with an idea for a session that can be repeated in lots of different settings and was wondering if there was a good item that could be taken apart and reassembled easily within 30mins or so. I’m thinking a really basic taster session for people (and children) who have bever used a screwdriver before.
Can people think of any good battery powered items for this? A couple of screws, a basic circuit, fairly sturdy, small-ish, and cheap to buy would be great. Even better if it’s available second-hand!
At last FixFest there was a group, I think from UK, or Brussels, that was doing lessons to repair in schools, with small kits of Nintendo Gameboy with simple (created) problems: wire unconnected, dust under a button, …
The were very experienced with this, impressive!
That was Team.Repair. I was very impressed too - they had 2 reps there that I got to chat to at some length - it all started with a group of MSc students at Imperial College who started it as their MSc project. They source gadgets as returns from manufacturers and send them out with specific faults to be diagnosed and fixed by school kids. They can send them back and get another different one to fix, meanwhile the previous one is “broken” again and sent out to someone else. It works on a subscription basis - costs a bit more than pocket money as I remember but not unreasonable.
You can find them a www.team.repair - excellent website with some very nice videos.
When I met them I thought it might not be an easy business model to maintain, but very glad they still seem to be going strong.
I’m wondering whether they might pop in to FixFest in September.
Hi Kat. The simple battery items that most often comes into our repair cafe, are outside led lights. Sometimes, it’s rusted battery terminal, loose wire, faulty button, dead led, or the circuit board has failed. Also a good opportunity to explain what the different ratings for water resistance mean
Thanks all! Yes, we have been in talks with Team Repair before, as their kits are brilliant. At the time the cost was a bit prohibitive, but I will look into it again, as it looks like they are now offering a few new things on their website!
Hi everyone, at Repair Together we also have items to teach basic electrical knowledge to children (and people). it’s a wooden box, with a simple electrical circuit inside, with a LED and batteries. There are different types of breakdown, either the LED, the battery, the cables, or the switch. People have to open the box with different screwdrivers as the heads are different, so it makes them aware of the barriers to repair. Here’s a picture. It’s made with a laser cutting machine and some 3D printed parts. If you’re interested in making some, we’re open to share it, you can send an email to info@repairtogether.be
We also have other activities, don’t hesitate to read our educational activites page on our website.
The Repair Escape Box is also very cool, but difficult to construct, and heavy to carry.
I put together this little tutorial for a fun hands-on session building a very basic little circuit that lights up a greeting card. It went down very well at Christmas time with some mugs of mulled wine. Testing and fixing fairy lights was another popular session.
Of course, we had another version for years, the box was very sustainable, but some of the material inside were a bit weak and needed fixing after every session (children can be rough with it ) this version is a new one, supposedly less breakable
) this version is a new one, supposedly less breakable 