ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

We have worked with David Rockwell to prototype a new set of oversized  
foam building blocks that can be used indoors our outdoors.  They  
range in size from about two to six feet across.  They are about to go  
into production with these, and we are planning to purchase a set of  
150.  You can see some pics at <http://www.flickr.com/photos/marcosstafne/sets/72157605902732018/ 
 >

We also just did a huge version of the classic colored shadows  
exhibition <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5XqhbW_RX4>

HTH

Eric Siegel
Director and Chief Content Officer
New York Hall of Science
47-01 111th Street
Queens, NY 11368
(718) 699 - 0005 x 317
www.nyscience.org
esiegel at nyscience dot org



On Mar 30, 2009, at 11:32 AM, Stephanie Dilk wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology  
> Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related  
> institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
>
> Jennifer,
>
> We have had discussions about these sorts of things at Minnetrista and
> came up with some ideas that might be helpful. One thing suggestion is
> just to look through the carnival-type games that are available  
> through
> places like Oriental Trading Company or US Toy Company and the like.
> Sometimes they have stuff that is designed for one thing, but would  
> work
> splendidly for something else. Consider using Frisbees for checkers,  
> for
> example or making a rag doll from a play parachute. Also, they have  
> the
> half-circled hoops kids can climb under which is also perfect for an
> over-sized game of croquet, make-shifting a broom or something of the
> like for the mallet.
>
> Depending on your location, consider using other places to create a
> project that is symbiotic. For example, is there a high school in your
> area with a really notable woodshop class teacher? Maybe he/she could
> make something as a class project that could be helpful to you where
> they could still use the techniques they'd need to learn and use in
> class anyway.
>
> This kind of stuff can also be great for local volunteer organizations
> that look for projects. If it's a more "crafty" type of project, local
> senior volunteer groups usually love to take on projects that involve
> more sewing or painting or things in that realm.
>
> Take a walk through a craft store, Hobby Lobby, for example, with an
> open mind. Sometimes you'll see something and think "A-HA! This would
> make a great....."  I had an intern last summer who made me a
> large-scale tic-tac-toe board out of felt (as the board base, so  
> that it
> could be rolled up and stored more easily) with candy cane ribbon as  
> the
> actual cross-hatch tic tac toe shape, then used pieces of PVC pipes  
> for
> the X's and Wreaths for the O's. Just like that, it took a little time
> for her to put it together, but the end product was what we needed  
> for a
> reasonable price and can be used over and over again.
>
> Hope this helps and that you end up with some really great toys.
>
> Stephanie Dilk
> Education Manager
> Minnetrista
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Minnetrista Cultural Center
> 1200 MInnetrista Parkway
> Muncie, Indiana
> United States
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Informal Science Education Network
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jenn Barlup
> Sent: Monday, March 30, 2009 10:58 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: "Oversized" or "big" exhibits
>
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
> Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
> institutions.
> ************************************************************************
> *****
>
> We are looking into creating some programming/activities around "big"
> games.  Does your museum have an extra large "checkers set" or some
> other big games?
>
> We'd love to hear about them!  Feel free to send pictures if you have
> them.
>
> Did you build them in-house?  Out source?  Buy off the shelf?
> How long have you used them?
> Had any problems?
>
> Thanks
>
>
>
> Jennifer Barlup
> Associate Exhibition Producer
> 614/228-2674 ext 2415
> Spring into action at COSI
> Open 7 days a week March 18-April 19, 2009
> Please consider the environment before printing this email
>
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> For more information about STEM education in Ohio, visit www.osln.org
>
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>
> Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org 
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