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Ian;

As I recall the rotating stage that was developed at the Museum of  
Science was part of a project and commitment by the museum to create  
"equal" or near equal experiences for disabled visitors. I think  
therefor there was no, as I recall and I wish someone from MoS would  
chime in, means of jiggling specimens as you describe as visitors who  
needed such a rotating stage might not not be able to jiggle the  
specimen.

For other visitors, you suggestion is a good one.

Cheers,


Martin


On Oct 23, 2008, at 5:20 AM, Ian Russell wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology  
> Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related  
> institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
>
>
> Just to spell out something that may be obvious. Any rotating  
> specimen stage
> can be hugely improved by enlarging the hole in the central bearing,  
> with an
> oversized retaining disk between the enlarged hole and the head of the
> retaining screw. Having rotated the stage to select your specimen,  
> you can
> then jiggle it around in any direction, as far as the enlarged  
> central hole
> allows. Being able to 'explore' each specimen rather than just swing  
> it to
> left or right makes an enormous difference to the experience.
>
> I'm sure most people here know about this, but hopefully it was worth
> mentioning for the sake of anyone planning a rotating specimen stage  
> with a
> 'neatly engineered' central bearing with no sideways movement. This  
> is just
> one example of a relatively tiny interactive-design feature that can  
> easily
> double visitor engagement time. Its all about degrees of freedom.
>
>
> Promoting public engagement with science
> through a contagious delight in phenomena
> *
> [log in to unmask] * http://www.interactives.co.uk
> *
> Give people facts and you feed their minds for an hour.
> Awaken curiosity and they feed their own minds for a lifetime.
> *
> Ian Russell
>
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____________________________________
Martin Weiss, PhD
Science Interpretation, Consultant
New York Hall of Science

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