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We have a science park with lots of water exhibits. They are the most
popular and exciting parts of the park and you can't get the kids away from
them. On the other hand, they are the most complicated in terms of
production, safety, and maintenance (both exhibit maintenance and water
treatment).
I prefer to consider the outdoor water exhibits as an exhibition with a
theme and learning objectives rather than just a playground. In our park,
the overall theme is historical scientists, divided into sections within
the park. One section is about Leonardo da Vinci, with locks, dams,
waterwheels, etc. Another section is about Archimedes, using the five
simple machines. Attached you will find the link to see pictures from our
science park
http://madatech.smugmug.com/NobleEnergySciencePark/TalBerman/23131959_BGjG7h.
When you are producing a science park, you have to keep in mind that
everything must be more robust because it has to withstand the elements and
be water-resistant. Therefore if you're using stainless steel, for
example, you have to choose the best one on the market. For the welding,
you need to use the right materials. If you're using wood, you have to
make sure that it's a type that won't expand when it gets wet or crack when
it's in the sun.
Safety is an issue. The areas around the exhibit are slippery, and people
can fall into the water in the reservoirs.
Everything has to be much more robust than the indoor exhibits.
Maintenance is much more time-consuming and expensive, since the exhibit is
always either in the sun or wet.
Water treatment – you have to follow all the swimming pool regulations for
public health, which usually means there is a machine room for treating and
filtering the water.
With all of that said, I don't want to discourage you. As I mentioned
first thing, it's the most popular exhibit we have.
I would also like to invite you to a session that we're doing at the ASTC
conference in Albuquerque regarding science parks and safety. Water
exhibits will be very prominent in this session.
Session Title: Safety In Science Parks: A Balancing Act
Session ID: 1650
Best
Tal
______________
Tal Berman; Ph.D.
Head of the Exhibits, R&D Wing
The Israel National Museum of Science, Technology & Space;
Daniel and Matilde Recanati Center
25 Shmaryahu Levin St.; Haifa, 31448; ISRAEL.
Tel: +972-4-861-4452 Fax: +972-4-861-4352; Cell': +972-54-6115577
Email: [log in to unmask]; Site: http://www.madatech.org.il
On Wed, Apr 24, 2013 at 5:26 AM, Amy Johnston Bray <
[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
> institutions.
>
> *****************************************************************************
>
> Hi,
>
> At Science Alive we are busy designing our new science centre. We know
> water
> play areas for preschoolers are a massive hit with the public but have
> logistical challenges. I've spoken to a few designers recently who have
> said
> given their chance again they would not have a water play area. What say
> you? Would you do it again? What have you learnt?
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Amy
>
>
>
>
>
> Amy Johnston Bray
>
> Programme Production
>
> Science Alive
>
>
>
> +643 365 5199
>
> [log in to unmask]
>
> www.sciencealive.co.nz
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ***********************************************************************
> For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and
> the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
>
> Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at
> www.exhibitfiles.org.
>
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--
____________________________________
Tal Berman; Ph.D.
Head of the Exhibits, R&D Wing
The Israel National Museum of Science, Technology & Space;
Daniel and Matilde Recanati Center
25 Shmaryahu Levin St.; Haifa, 31448; ISRAEL.
Tel: +972-4-861-4452 Fax: +972-4-861-4352; Cell': +972-54-6115577
Email: [log in to unmask]; Site: http://www.madatech.org.il
LATITUDE 320 48.587' N LONGITUDE 0340 59.790' E
***********************************************************************
For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.
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