Suzanne,

Not sure if this would work, but how about doing the Rent rule by taking
some old PCBs (lots of SSI chips), choping them up into different size
pieces and counting number of tracks entering/leaving pieces. You could
then relate gate count to number of IO's. This could then lead into
discussion of why we now have fine pitch and array packages and how
"system on a chip" architectures may take the pressure off.

David Whalley

At 10:06 28/08/97 PDT, you wrote:
>Any technetters with good ideas responses would be greatly appreciated.....
>
>Honeywell (in conjunction with 6 other companies)  has a program where
>volunteers go into classrooms for one period and talk about science and
>technology.  We are hitting 7th and 8th graders but also target some lower
>class levels for special requests.  I am looking for some good hands on
>demos or real life issues from electronics industry for the presentation.
> The demo should concentrate on how we use math and science in our jobs.
> Since we are dealing with 40 minutes to one hour it can't be a long
>experiment.  We've showed them how designers use "real estate" calculations
>with respect to through hole design versus surface mount.  We discussed
>solder joint design and life calculations with through hole versus surface
>mount.  We've even discussed a demo board that has silly putty solder joints
>that they can do there own pull strength calculations.
>
>Do any of the technetters have some "real life" ideas or experiments that
>you do that they wish to share?
>
>Please contact me at 612-957-3923 or you can e-mail me at
>[log in to unmask]  (This address will be changing next
>week so please call if the e-mail doesn't work.)
>
>Thanks,
>Suzanne
>
>