Research and Development - CONSERVATOR

Acting as a Conservator - Creating a Hygrometer

Middle

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Critical and creative thinking

1. Read through the following website to make a simple hygrometer to measure the dampness of the air.

2. Investigate the temperature changes in the classroom, taking measurements before school starts when the room is empty and at regular intervals throughout the day. Record any factors that might influence the recorded temperature, such as open doors or windows.

3. Draw some conclusions from these results.  (Source: Victoria & Albert Museum, UK; Teacher's Resources)

Damaged by damp air? How can you tell?

Primary Middle 

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Critical and creative thinking

1. Predict which materials you think could be damaged by damp air.

2. Conduct an investigation to discover which of your predictions were correct.

3. For this investigation, you will need some screw-top jam jars. Place a wad of damp cotton wool at the bottom of each. Collect a number of small objects made from different materials (say, a steel screw, a postage stamp, a wooden cube, a square of blotting paper, a plastic counter, a piece of fabric).

4. Place each object on a small plastic lid and rest it on top of the cotton wool. Screw the lid on the jar tightly. Keep the jars in a dark place where the temperature is fairly constant. Look at the jars every day for two weeks and record any changes you notice in the objects. Make sure that you dispose of the jars and their contents safely at the end of the experiment.  (Source: Victoria & Albert Museum, UK; Teacher's Resources)

Designing a new display case for your school

Secondary

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Critical and creative thinking

1. Display cases offer objects a degree of protection. You are to design a new display case to contain school trophies after conferring with the Principal.

2. Design principles have to be in place - you will need to consider security, the most appropriate materials to use, the height of the case (so that small children and wheelchair users could view the contents) and how it could be opened to rearrange the display.

3. Create a rough draft first and remember to again talk to the Principal about their needs for a display cabinet. Lighting is also very important and needs to be considered. (Source: Victoria & Albert Museum, UK; Teacher's Resources)

A Securiity Alarm

Secondary

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Critical and creative thinking

1. Design a simple security alarm that is activated either mechanically or electrically.

2. For the latter, use a tilt switch, a photoelectric sensor or make your own simple pressure-sensitive switch - as seen below. (Source: Victoria & Albert Museum, UK; Teacher's Resources)

Pressure Sensitive Switch (Source: V&A Museum)

Pests - particularly insect pests can damage museums.

Primary Middle Secondary

Australian Curriculum General Capability: Critical and creative thinking

1. You are going to design and make a device to trap insect pests that can damage museums and their artefacts. It should be inconspicuous to visitors and safe for curators and conservators to handle.

Outside insect trap. What modifications will a trap inside a museum need?
(Source: Victoria & Albert Museum, UK; Teacher's Resources)

2. Brainstorm what you need to know to solve this problem. Create a list of pests and how to get rid of them.

3. Use the following resources to identify the pests involved in Australian museums.