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Inside the Machine G3 to G5 / Week 05 / Crew Quest
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Week 05 · How the parts connect

Crew Quest

Crew Quest: Port Spotting
// Boards, ports, cables and radio
⏱ about 15 min

Crew Quest: Port Spotting

Rocket hands out clipboards. "Today we are port spotters!" he says. "We look at the outside of every device in the bay."

Raven makes a tally chart. "What do you notice? We can count without plugging anything in."

Nova lights up. "Would you like a hint? Round, flat, oval, thin. Shapes will tell you what each port is for." The crew spreads out to look.

  1. The motherboard is the board inside that every part plugs into. Traces carry signals across it.
  2. Ports are openings on the outside. Each shape fits one kind of plug.
  3. Cables are wires in plastic. USB cables carry power and information.
  4. Wireless connections use invisible radio waves. Walls and distance weaken them.
  5. Look, never open. Wall plugs and batteries are for grown-ups.
◇ PORT SPOTTING
You need paper, a pencil and a grown-up to walk with you.
Pick three devices at home, like a laptop, a tablet or a game console.
Look at the edges of each one. Do not plug or unplug anything.
Make a tally: how many round ports, flat ports, oval ports and thin slots?
Guess what each port is for. Your partner says if they agree.
Last, count the things in the room that connect with no cable at all.
Safety first
Look only. Do not touch plugs, chargers or wall outlets.
Do not put fingers, pencils or anything else into a port.
If a device is plugged into the wall, leave it exactly where it is.
For a grown-up
Walk with the spotter and name any port they are unsure about.
Talk about which ports your family uses most, and which cables carry power.
SPOTTER REVIEW
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Which port shape is most likely for headphones?
What should a port spotter do with the ports?
A tablet has one small oval port. What might it do?
StatementTrue or false?
A spotter may unplug a charger to see the port better.?
Different port shapes fit different plugs.?
A wireless mouse connects with radio waves.?
WHY THIS EXERCISESpotting ports by shape is a real technician skill. Doing it safely is what makes you a good one.

You finished week five! Next week the crew follows the power, from the wall to the warm little fan.

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