Panel facts for kids

A panel is a word with many different meanings! It usually refers to a flat piece of something, or a group of people working together.

What is a Panel?

A panel can be a flat piece of material, like a wooden board or a section of a wall. It can also be a group of people who come together for a special reason. Let's explore some of the ways we use the word "panel."

Panels of People

Sometimes, a panel is a group of people chosen to discuss or decide something important.

Juries and Committees

In a court, a group of people called a jury listens to evidence and decides if someone is guilty or innocent. This jury is a type of panel. Similarly, a committee is a group of people who meet to make decisions or give advice on a specific topic. For example, a school might have a panel of teachers to decide on new rules.

Government Panels

In places like the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, a panel is a special committee. These panels focus on specific areas, like education or health. They study issues and suggest new laws or changes. These are similar to "select committees" in other governments.

Talk Shows

You might also see a panel on TV! Shows like The Panel (from Australia) or The Panel (Ireland) feature a group of people. They sit together and discuss news, current events, or funny topics.

Flat Panels and Surfaces

A panel can also be a flat part of a larger object or system.

Control Panels

Think about the cockpit of an airplane or the dashboard of a car. These are often called control panels. They are flat areas covered with buttons, switches, and screens. These controls help people operate machines or systems. You can find control panels on many types of machinery, from factory equipment to washing machines.

Art Panels

In art, a panel can be a wooden board used for painting a picture. Sometimes, a large artwork is made up of several smaller panels joined together, like a triptych (an artwork with three panels). In comic books or comic strips, a panel is a single drawing or image. It shows one moment in the story. A comic strip might have just one panel or many panels in a row.

Building and Furniture Panels

A panel can be a flat, often decorative, section of a piece of furniture, like a cabinet door. It can also be part of a larger structure, such as a wall or a screen. For example, a structural insulated panel is a type of building material. It's a strong, flat piece used to build walls, roofs, and floors in houses.

Electrical Panels

In buildings, a breaker panel is a flat box that holds electrical circuit breakers. These breakers protect your home's electrical system from too much power. If there's an overload, a breaker "trips" to safely turn off the power.

Computer Software Panels

On a computer screen, a panel can be a part of a program's window. It might contain tools, menus, or information. For example, in a drawing program, you might have a "colors panel" or a "tools panel" that you can open and close.

See also

In Spanish: Panel para niños