ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Sometimes, the physical exuberance of children whirling around on a
turntable can interfere with quiet, thoughtful experimentation with more
'reflective' interactives nearby. I'm not saying it's a bad exhibit - far
from it - just that this behaviour isn't always appropriate in every
context. I like to see exhibits like this in a special, 'noisy' area of a
science centre layout. Observation suggests that mental activity in a
science centre tends to be inversely proportional to physical activity and
sound-level.

Twenty five years ago I figured out a radically different way to demonstrate
conservation of angular momentum, in a layout where I wanted people to be
able to enjoy exploring and experimenting without being distracted. Here's
what I came up with: the photos show a more recent version I installed in
the National Science Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/interactives/sets/72157633628489124/

I call this design 'How to weigh a galaxy' and it is used to help explain
evidence for the existence of Dark Matter!

Promoting public engagement with science
through a contagious delight in phenomena
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[log in to unmask] * http://www.interactives.co.uk
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http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/ian-russell/0/636/305
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Give people facts and you feed their minds for an hour.
Awaken curiosity and they feed their own minds for a lifetime.
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Ian Russell
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