> (3) that the typical 12-year-old youngster has the interest, skill and basic knowledge necessary to build and understand simple working models of practically anything
Indeed, or even younger. I look back to that time and realize that I was capable of quick breadth first knowledge aquisition - something that often escaped me when I was older and wanted to go deep on everything but this slows you down if you're just trying to get something finished.
> (3) that the typical 12-year-old youngster has the interest, skill and basic knowledge necessary to build and understand simple working models of practically anything
Indeed.