ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************
Actually there are other variables on a stream table - such as the filtration & water change out rate. Those can easily affect what's happening...Assuming you are recirculating the water, then have a great filter system, or a *ton* of water as a reservoir, or change it out a *lot* or rely on chemicals. Sometimes it helps to think of that exhibit as either a public pool, hot tub or touch tank aquaria...although it may be more appropriate to think of it as a touch tang aquaria, I'm guessing most people think of it as a pool....Now if you use fresh water and drain it (essentially a constantly running sink), then your problems will be more minimal - except for the protests from environmentally minded people and your water bills. You would still need to clean the sand though...
-William
On Aug 29, 2010, at 3:58 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.
> *****************************************************************************
>
> The sand may not be the main problem. If children are touching the water,
> then the smell will be decomposing flakes of human skin: in large
> quantities! It is amazing how quickly 'hands-in' water exhibits go
> disgustingly stinky. The sand is likely to trap the skin particles and the
> various microbes feeding on it, making them impossible to flush away
> effectively.
>
> I reckon this is a serious and underrated biological health hazard with
> water exhibits.
>
> I hate to suggest reducing interactivity, but might it be possible to
> re-design the exhibit so children can still play with the sand, but without
> ever touching it or the water with their hands?
>
> A coarser grade of sand should also help, of course.
>
> 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 (Twitter: ianrusselluk)
>
> ***********************************************************************
> 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]
William Katzman
Program Leader
LIGO Science Education Center
"Inspiring Science"
[log in to unmask]
(225) 686-3134
***********************************************************************
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]
|
