Kids and Steam

 
Last Tuesday my friend Bob and I drove up to Stanwood to do a demo for a class of extra bright kids. 
We got a second class added in.                     
My friend Tut works with a couple teachers at the school.
I brought about 20 small steam engines, maybe 10 or more that I had built and several hobby shop engines(mamod, wilesco, and a very old Fleischmann)
Started with a short talk about how there was no reliable power source before steam and how it started the industrial revolution and how it is still used in steam turbines to generate power and to power the largest ships.
No fire or live steam allowed so ran engines with a small air compresser. Took a small wobbler (can't spell oscilator) apart and showed the individual parts. Also let the kids handle engines and blow the steam whistles.
40 kids, 3rd.4th. and 5th. grades and those little engines, hands on. The most fun I have had in some time.
Wife and I and Tut and wife made kites with some of these kids last spring and will go back next spring and do that again.
You guys should try something like this if you get a chance.
 
got to load up the car for a model airplane swap meet in the morn.
later, ace
PS Al, will you show your new engine here?