Electricity for the 4-H Scientist Part 9

Demonstrations You Can Give

Show how to read a meter, making one with plywood or cardboard. Dials can be painted on the main board. Arrows can be attached so they will revolve to give different readings.

Show how to find the wattage of various types of equipment.

Show how to figure the cost of the average kwh in a home.

For Further Information

Your leader can get additional material for you or you may want to have someone from your power supplier talk to your club, telling about meters, how they work and how they are regularly checked for accuracy.

Chart One-THE HOME

Column No. 1. 2. 3. 4.

Item Wattage Hours KWH per Cost per Rating Used Month Month per (col. 1x2)/ (Col. 3 x av. Remarks Month 1000 kwh cost)

Electric Iron 1100 30 33 .80 Stove 880 60 52.8 1.21 (Special rate)

LESSON NO. B-8 Credit Points 3

IRONING IS FUN WITH THE MODERN HAND IRON

When you are getting ready to go to school or to a party, it probably gives you a good feeling to put on a clean, freshly-ironed skirt, blouse or dress. But did you ever think about the electric iron that helps so much to give you that well-dressed feeling? When you were younger, you may have had a play iron and pretended to iron your doll's dresses. Now you are old enough to learn about real irons--the different kinds of irons, how the iron heats, the kind of cord needed, the type of outlet necessary, how to use safety rules when you iron, and even how to help with the ironing.

Important Things to Know

There are many different irons, but the two kinds most important for you to know about now are the regular dry iron and the combination steam-and-dry iron.

[Ill.u.s.tration: The thermostat keeps the iron at an even temperature.]

It isn't weight alone that makes an iron do its job, but the heat of the iron. The heat is given off in the sole plate. The automatic iron has what is called a _thermostatic_ control which holds the temperature of the iron at the heat you want. Some clothes need to be ironed with a very hot iron, while others need only to be pressed lightly with a cool iron.

The thermostat keeps the iron at an even temperature after you set it for the heat you want. The thermostat is the heart of the iron.

Take a look at the iron used in your home. It isn't heavy to lift, and has a handle that fits your hand easily. It looks graceful and has a smooth bottom, called the sole plate. And it may have a narrow, pointed tip which is helpful in ironing pleats, corners and gathers.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Your iron has a smooth bottom called the sole plate.]

The Iron and Safety

If you are going to learn to do some ironing yourself, the most important thing for you to remember is SAFETY. You should read all about the iron first in the instructions which came with it.

Never use an iron carelessly. Remember the safety rules:

1. An iron should never be left even for a few minutes without being disconnected. Turn off by removing the plug from the outlet, or by turning the control lever to "off."

[Ill.u.s.tration: Take hold of the plug--not the cord--when you disconnect it from the outlet.]

2. Let the iron cool before putting it away.

3. Wrap the cord carefully around the iron after it is cold.

4. Always stand the iron where it will not fall off on a child or pet or your own toes.

WHAT TO DO: Learn About Your Iron

Materials Needed: An automatic iron, some old play clothes, towels, napkins or handkerchiefs, and an ironing board.

Steps to Take:

1. Watch an experienced person iron.

2. Ask questions about what clothes need to be sprinkled.

3. Study the thermostat settings on the dial or indicator.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Most irons have a dial to set for the proper heat for different fabrics.]

4. Ask about the kind of fabric each piece of clothing is--cotton, linen, silk, nylon, etc.--and why the iron should be at high heat for some, cooler for others.

5. Set the thermostat for the amount of heat needed, and with an older person watching you, iron some handkerchiefs, napkins, bath towels, and a pair of play shorts or blue jeans.

6. During a month iron some of these articles for your family, keeping a record of how many you do and what they were.

7. Take care of your iron. Be responsible for storing it.

+--------+-----------------+-------------------+---------------------+ | | No. | | Store Iron Properly | | Date | Articles Ironed | Type of Article | (check) | +--------+-----------------+-------------------+---------------------+ | | | | | +--------+-----------------+-------------------+---------------------+ | | | | | +--------+-----------------+-------------------+---------------------+

IRONING IS FUN

1. I (use) (do not use) an adjustable ironing Board at home. If I do, I adjust it to the height that just clears my knees easily as I sit in a comfortable chair. Yes No

2. There are three kinds of irons usually used--dry iron, steam iron or a combination steam or dry iron. I use a ---- iron.

3. I (have) (do not have) the instruction book. (If you do, read about the iron.) I know the iron's parts by their correct names. They are----.

4. I disconnect the iron if I leave it even for only a minute. This is a safety measure as fires have been known to start from irons left connected. Yes No