A tough computer

As I returned from Christchurch last week a display at Wellington Airport caught my attention - there in a glass display case was a computer (Toughbook by Panasonic)with water being poured on top of it - while it was on! I thought this would be perfect for early childhood! No more worries about sand or water, or painted fingers on the keyboard - or biscuit crumbs or coffee spills!! Getting quite excited I asked the price - around $7,000 - oh well maybe not this time, but atleast the technology is possible and may get cheaper as time goes on. Check out the website - they have some videos of it in use (I think they need to add an early childhood video in there)

Being environmentally responsible

Earlier I blogged about recycling print cartridges. I have now been thinking about the computers. Have you thought about the metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and gold that are often thrown into landfills - with computers often being replaced after 3-5 years thats a lot of rubbish.
This blog site zerowaste makes an interesting read. It is NZ based and has links to other sites and information. If you're interested in reducing, reusing and recycling in general there is a lot more information.
If we look through Te Whaariki there are many references to respecting the environment: Implicit in the concept of the child as explorer is the importance of respect for the environment....The attitudes and expectations that are formed at an early age will continue to influence a child's learning through-out life...Procedures should be in place ... for conservation, recycling and waste disposal.
So what are you doing to support this - and how are you involving the children?