Monthly Archives: February 2010

NATURE GOT THERE FIRST!

At the heart of the Garth & Bev series lies the idea that Nature is the primary source for invention, creativity and problem-solving. Whatever brilliant inventions the human race can come up with, most often we will find that nature got there first!

Our central character is a boy called Garth.  He is a boy to whom our audience can completely relate – active, curious, adventure-seeking.  The only difference between him and any seven year old you may know is that he and his sister Bevin live in a village, long, long ago. So instead of TVs, computers and bikes for amusement, they have metal tools, basket weaving and log boats.  But, above all, they have NATURE.  They live in harmony with nature and pay it the utmost respect.  The rhythm of their life is dictated by the seasons.  Nature is powerful, but it’s also their friend and their teacher.    Garth and Bevin learn about nature as they live and play in it. They solve problems by exploring and experimenting with the world around them.  And Garth and Bev find that their natural world discoveries are often a little bit like the discoveries that other people are making elsewhere – people that are trying to invent things…

“….in another time and place……!”

Why not make your own phone? Here’s a great way to learn how sound travels and to have fun at the same time.

You’ll need 2 empty can (like a can of baked beans), string and a hammer.

How To:

1. Wash the empty cans – unless you want to get beans in your ears!
   The end that has been opened will be the phone’s receiver, and the other end will hold the phone’s wire.
2. Hammer a nail through the base of the cans to make a hole in the end of each can
   
3. Insert one end of the string through one of the nail holes. Tie a knot in the string on the inside of the can, so that the string stays attached to the can. Repeat with the other can and the other end of string. The tin cans should now be connected to each other.
4. Hold one tin can, and give the other tin can to someone else. Walk away from each other until the string between the can is taut.
5. Speak into the open end of one can while your partner listens to the open end of his can. Switch it around and listen.
6. Now you’ve made your own tin can phones – you’ll be surprised at how much fun you’ll have!

How does it work?

The person at the other end of the telephone hears your message a couple of milliseconds after you’ve said it – after her ears have collected the sound vibrations and sent them to the brain to be processed.