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

On the basis that you are really asking for the most MEMORABLE science
museum exhibit, in my case two leapt into my mind before I had time to
ponder.

One is a large spark-chamber with layers of high-voltage plates, through
which cosmic rays from outer space would periodical punch through like rifle
bullets, with a flash and a bang. Like gazing with awe at nuclear particle
tracks in a cloud chamber, this only really impacts visitors able to
understand what they are seeing, and so it needs plenty of 'hype' in the
graphics. Really works for me and it's not even a hands-on exhibit! But I've
noticed that most visitors do not find it so memorable.

The other one that sprang to mind was the Grain Pit interactive exhibit in
the old Launchpad gallery at the London Science Museum. It's now been
redesigned and still seems at least as good as the old one.
http://tinyurl.com/55kvnj Here it's the remarkable social interaction
between young participating children that is so memorable. In fact their
highly exploratory, highly collaborative behaviour is really experimental
'play' set in the clear context of science, technology and engineering,
while accomanying adults study and discuss the various operating mechanisms.
Wonderful.

Hope you'll eventually confirm whether or not we confirm your theory, David
Savory. Have you written your prediction inside a sealed envelope?


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  

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Informal Science Education Network 
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David Savory
> Sent: 29 November 2008 22:24
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Cool exhibit
> 
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of 
> Science-Technology Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network 
> of science museums and related institutions.
> **************************************************************
> ***************
> 
> Hi all,
> 
> I have a strange and open-ended question: what is the coolest 
> exhibit you have ever seen at a science museum? "Cool" 
> obviously can mean a variety of things but I'm thinking of 
> something that really created a lasting impression on you and 
> that leaps to mind without you're having to think about it too much.
> 
> I think I know how people will respond and I wanna see if I'm right.
> 
> David Savory
> Community Extensions Program Developer and Exhibit Curator 
> Science World British Columbia TELUS World of Science
> 1455 Quebec Street
> Vancouver, BC
> Canada V6A 3Z7
> 
> t: 604.443.7561
> f: 604.443.7434
> e: [log in to unmask]
> w: scienceworld.ca
> 
> Science World British Columbia is a self-supporting 
> non-profit organization which engages British Columbians in 
> science and inspires future science and technology leadership 
> throughout our province.
> 
> 
> This e-mail may be privileged and confidential. Any 
> unauthorized use is strictly prohibited. If you received this 
> e-mail in error, please contact the sender immediately.
> 
> **************************************************************
> *********
> 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.
> 
> The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software 
> from L-Soft. To learn more, visit 
> http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.
> 
> To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send 
> the message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to 
> [log in to unmask]

***********************************************************************
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.

The ISEN-ASTC-L email list is powered by LISTSERVR software from L-Soft. To learn more, visit
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html.

To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]