Electrostatics: The Science of Benjamin Franklin, Michael Faraday, and King George, III Catalog

The students learn about static electricity, going back to the days of the Greek scientists and tribo-electricity (creating electricity by rubbing, e.g., cat's fur on amber), and progressing to Michael Faraday's monumental discoveries. Each student builds an electroscope (thin metal plates that move apart to detect charge); a Leyden jar (the predecessor of the modern capacitor, which stores charge), and an electrophorus, to generate charge by tribo-electric action. The student will take home each experiment that is built.
Instructor: Jim Wall & Dor Hesselgrave
Ages 10 and up; Fee: $45 members/$55 non-members.
Dates: January 12, 19, 26: Saturdays, 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, 3 sessions,
Registration must be completed by January 2

Magnetism and Electromagnetism Catalog

Have fun while learning about magnetism! Students discover magnetism and induction, gaining an understanding of magnetic effects and principles. Content includes the history of magnetism and explores modern theories and applications that underlie electric power generation and magnetic material physics. Class projects include the construction of an electromagnetically charged flashlight.
Instructor: Larry Pizzella or Jim Wall
Ages 10 and up; Fee: $55 members/$65 non-members.
Dates: February 2, 9, 16, 23: Saturdays, 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, 4 Sessions,
Registration must be completed by January 22

Basic Electric Circuits: Catalog

This is a good, simple introduction to electricity. The student learns about: current (electron) flow; potential (voltage) that produces the current flow; charge (coulombs); conductors to carry the current flow; and simple switches and lamps (including LEDs). In the hands-on sessions, the student builds a battery-operated system including two switches, two lamps, an audio sounder, and a pair of batteries.
Instructor: Dor Hesselgrave, Jim Wall
Ages 10 and up; Fee: $55 members/$65 non-members.
Dates: March 8, 15, 22, 29: Saturdays, 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, 4 sessions
Registration must be completed by February 25

How To Build a Crystal Radio: Catalog

The students build their own crystal radio sets, winding coils, drilling a mounting board and placing all components on it, and then wiring the set according to a schematic. In this course, the students learn radio history dating back to Marconi and Tesla, basic radio theory, modulation, how headphones work, and how to read schematics.
Instructor: Larry Pizzella: His custom radio design recently made him the first-prize winner in a national contest for crystal radio set distance reception
Ages 10 and up; Fee: $55 members/$65 non-members.
Dates: June 1, 8, 15; Sundays, 1:00 pm to 4:20 pm: 3 sessions
Registration must be completed by May 22.

Build a Short Wave Radio: Catalog

In this class, students learn about the basic physics of radio wave generation, propagation, and reception; what a radio wave is; and about some of the scientists and engineers who made it all happen. As a class project, students make their own short wave radio receiver, learning how it works and how to tune in radio stations from all over the world.
Instructor: Larry Pizzella
Ages 10 and up; Fee: $55 members/$65 non-members
Saturdays, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm: 4 sessions
Dates: To be determined

Transistors and Vacuum Tubes: An Electronic Playground Catalog

Introductory course covering the basics of transistor and vacuum tube circuits. Students learn about the invention and development of tubes and transistors, then perform simple experiments to learn how basic transistors are used to control the flow of electric current. The Electronics Lab students use in the workshop is theirs to keep, so that they can perform additional experiments at home.
Instructor: Larry Pizzella
Ages 10 and up; Fee: $55 members/$65 non-members
Saturdays, 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, 4 sessions
Dates: April 5, 12, 19, 26
Registration must be completed by March 22.

Integrated Circuits: Catalog

Introductory course covering the history, development, and uses of integrated circuits. The course content includes the scientific developments that lead to the IC. Students will discover what ICs are made of, how they work, and how they are designed and manufactured right here in Silicon Valley. Students will also learn how to read simple schematic diagrams. Portable radios that use 2 ICs will be built in the workshop by the students to take home. Transistors and Vacuum Tubes is recommended prior to taking this course
Instructor: Larry Pizzella
Ages 10 and up; Fee: $55 members/$65 non-members
Saturdays, 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, 4 sessions
Dates: June 7, 14, 21, 28
Registration must be completed by May 28.

Hardware Made Easy Catalog

Ever wondered what is inside that mysterious box called a computer? Join us at MOAH for an exciting journey exploring the interior of the PC. Discover the joys of replacing video cards, expanding memory, adding a new hard disk, and more.
Students learn the history of the computer, from the abacus to the present day, what the major components of the computer are (such as motherboards, video cards, CD-ROM drives, network cards and other peripherals), how to identify the hardware in a PC or Mac without opening the computer, and how to upgrade the system. Hands-on exercises are included.
Instructor: Lauren Katzive
Ages 11 and up: Fee: $35 members/$45 non-members
Sundays, 1 pm to 3:00 pm, 2 sessions
Dates: To be advised

Basic Web Page Design Catalog

Designing your own web site isn't hard. Armed with a simple text editor, you can build attractive and effective web sites once you understand the basic principles involved.
Students receive instruction in how to create and view web pages using software that comes with any personal computer. The course covers placement and formatting of text, images, lists, tables, links, design tips and basic web page structures. Options for setting up your own web site are discussed. A brief history of the World Wide Web is also provided. Hands-on exercises are included.

Students should be familiar with the operation of a web browser and text editor. Students having their own laptop computers are invited to bring them to the class sessions.
Instructor: Lauren Katzive
Ages 10 and up: Fee: $55 members/$65 non-members
Sundays, 1 pm to 3:00 pm, 4 sessions
Dates: To be advised

Introduction to 3-D Modeling for Games Catalog

This class is the only one of its kind in Silicon Valley! After learning an easy-to-use 3-D modeling program, students will create 3-D Models with lighting effects. We will discuss how scenes and characters are created for computer games. Then you will design a game using an industry-leading gaming engine and incorporate your models. Then play it!

No prior 3-D modeling experience is required, but students should be familiar with drawing programs such as Visio, Illustrator, Photoshop, or PowerPoint.

Instructors: Jeff Risberg, VP of Engineering & Information Technology, CAE Online, and Brandon Risberg, graduate of idTech's Gaming Academy.
Ages 10 and up: Fee: $35 members/$45 non-members
Saturdays, 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm, two sessions.
Dates: May 10, 17
Registration must be completed by May 1.

Become a Super Internet Searcher: Play the Internet Search Game and Learn to Find it Fast! Catalog

Want to be a Super Internet Searcher? Come learn the fastest and most effective ways to find what you're searching for on the net. In this special Internet Hunt game, you'll learn 10 amazingly good ways to get to what you're looking for on the internet and have a blast playing the Search Game. It's the easiest way to learn how to find what you really need for school or home. Never be stumped again!

Students should be familiar with the operation of a web browser. Students having their own laptop computers with wireless capability and running Windows XP or Apple OS X are invited to bring them to the class session.
Instructor: Dan Russell, Senior Research Scientist, Google
Grades 6 and up: Fee: $25 members/$30 non-members
Saturdays, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, 1 session
Date: To be advised

Fun With Simple Machines: Catalog

Students investigate simple machines and their usefulness in everyday life. Three simple machines are covered: the lever, the pulley, and the inclined plane. The wheel, the wedge, and the screw are derived applications of the basic machines. Using these simple machines, students construct their own model trebuchet, a type of medieval siege engine.
Instructor: Michael Glenn
Ages 9 and up; $35 members/$45 non-members
Saturdays, 1 pm - 3 pm, 2 sessions
Dates: to be advised

Machine Anatomy: What's Inside? Catalog

A look at modern industrial design from the inside out. Students disassemble complicated electro-mechanical devices such as printers, disk drives, VCRs and such to explore what goes into them, how they are designed and how they work. More everyday devices, such as electric toothbrushes, will also be examined.
Instructor: Steve Jasik
Ages 10 and up; $35 members/$45 non-members
Saturdays, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, 2 sessions
Dates: To be advised

Design for Superheros: Catalog

This class is about "why do things look the way they do". Beginning with some of the first industrial designs, such as for cars and trains from nearly 100 years ago, students discover the continuing influences of design in today's world. We will find that many of today's videogame designs and superhero characters were created some 70 years ago. Class projects are design challenges for objects such as banks, lunchboxes, bridges, and secret enemy bases. One of our most popular courses!
Instructor: Jeff Risberg, VP of Engineering & Information Technology, CAE Online
Ages 10 and up; $35 members/$45 non-members
Saturday, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, 2 sessions
Dates: to be advised:

Build a Model House: Catalog

The students learn about basic drafting techniques and proportions of homes: height of ceiling, partition walls, size of doors and garage door. During the hands-on session, they build a pre-cut home of foam core board and trim materials, and mount it on a corrugated cardboard platform complete with "grass, driveway, and plants."
Instructors: Chris Kummerer and Emilie Blase, Architectural Designers
Ages 10 and up; $45 members/$55 non-members
Saturdays, 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm, 3 sessions
Dates: To be advised:
Registration must be completed by April 5.

Alternate Energy: Electricity from Bugs Catalog

In Electricity from Bugs, students learn about and observe how the energy-generating systems of common, garden variety bacteria can be harnessed to produce electricity in microbial fuel cells.
Students construct and use a small microbial fuel cell to measure electricity generated by bacteria that occur naturally in garden soil, mulch, compost, and manure, and by using Ohm’s Law determine the amount of power produced under different conditions.
Instructor: Paul Levine
Ages 16 and up, previous class experience with chemistry or physics recommended
$35 members/$45 non-members
Saturdays, 10 am, 1 session
Dates: to be advised

Heritage Arts: I Can Sew! Catalog

I Can Sew! Launches the Museum of American Heritage's newest educational program, Heritage Arts, which focuses on teaching traditional handicrafts using early technologies. I Can Sew! introduces students to the basics of sewing with a focus on hand sewing. Designed for students with no prior experience, it aims to instill confidence and enthusiasm and will enable students to learn basic skills required for more advanced classes. The class provides hands on-training and one-on-one instruction, as well as a brief history of sewing and its importance in early America. Skills acquired include: threading, stitching, button and trim application. Students will create a take home project and receive a small sewing kit.
Instructor: Bev Nelson
Ages 8 and up; Fee: $35 members/$40 non-members
Saturdays, 1:30 pm - 4 pm, 1 session
Dates: to be advised

Paper Making: Catalog

Come and find out what you can do with pressed flowers and paper! In this new MOAH workshop, you will learn about making paper incorporating pressed flowers and creating your own cards.
Instructors: Patti Berryhill and Ealish Wilson
Ages 7 and up, parents welcome; $35 members/$45 non-members
Sundays, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, 2 sessions
Dates: To be advised

Print Shop: Catalog

Conducted by the museum's expert on printing, John Grant, this excellent program encourages people to use the Museum's collection of vintage printing presses (vintage Kelsey, Chandler & Price, Little Giant equipment) to complete their choice of projects. The printing presses use hand-set type and linotype to create personal print work. This program is ongoing, with open enrollment.
Instructor: John Grant
Fee: $20 for members/$35 for non-members, 4 Sessions.
Call John Grant for registration at (650) 494-0433.

Registration Information

Call the museum for schedule information, and to register for classes. 650-321-1004, unless otherwise indicated in the class description. Or complete the online class registration form and return it to MOAH.

MOAH is located at 351 Homer Avenue in Palo Alto between Bryant and Waverley Streets.

This page last updated: June 9, 2008. Original content: Copyright © 2000, - 2008 Museum of American Heritage.