Most likely reason for this might be that, there might be a loose connection and the phone detected the connection as a data connection instead of pure power connection rather than anything sneaky happening. This is done b shorting out the D+, D- pins through a ~200Ohm resistor which indicates to the phone that it can draw more than 500mA from the source (500mA is the maximum current a standard USB port can provide on a computer). Reference: A good source: http://www.maxim-ic.com/app-notes/index.mvp/id/4803#3 Especially the last paragraph in the section header. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MicroUSB#Power

Are we supposed to count Microcontrollers as Microprocessors too? In that case, I have too many to count. Otherwise I have ~10

...For the purpose of scientific research

I work on campus at my university at the food court. We too require to scan our finger (right thumb) whenever we punch-in and punch-out. I guess this is a reasonable arrangement to thwart proxy punch-ins.

If the LASER is anywhere in the visual spectrum, the whole house could become a perpetual disco ;)

Your Time. Don't just give them the kit (any kit) and leave it at that. Sit with them and YOU start making stuff with them looking and get them more involved as you go along. I remember my first geek activity. It was when I was 4-5 years old . My father took apart an antique clock apart and cleaned it and later asking me to do small things to do. That is what got me hooked to DIY. Later when I was about 7-8 years old my mom used to read short Sci-Fi stories to me and that's what got me hooked into reading. Spend time with your kids, they will be far more involved with whatever you do. As for the kits, anything from Chemistry kits to making models are equally simulating the important thing is getting started at an early age.

...MX Revolution http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/3527/logitechmxonhand.jpg I use it with my laptop (Yes, with a laptop and yes I know VX Revolution and VX Nano exist when buying it...in fact my other room mates have the other two mice.). I found it to fit perfectly in my hand and the extra buttons are god send to avoid reaching the un-ergonomic laptop keyboard.

May I suggest a mouse that I have been using for the past 1.5 years? The Logitech VX Revolution. It is one of the best (if not the best) notebook mice around right now. http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mice_pointers/mice/devices/165&cl=US,EN

We did something similar but on a tiny scale when we were kids. Take a model boat hull and stick a small soap piece to it at the back such that at least some part of it sticks out below the water line. Place the whole thing in still water and the desolving soap provides the forward thrust for the hull. I believe this is due to the difference in surface tension of soap water and the surrounding water.