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The Boston Museum of Science uses crushed apricot shells instead of sand.  

We use sand here at the Academy in our children's exhibit-and it tracks EVERYWHERe--especially once it gets in a shoe.   We have use regular vacuuming (get a good vacuum). 


Ms. Timshel Purdum
Manager: Elementary Science Education  
The Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-405-5071
Fax: 215-299-1165
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>>> [log in to unmask] 10/24/06 03:15PM >>>
ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

I've searched the archive and couldn't find any first hand account from a 
centre that uses an alternative to sand.

We'd like to create a discovery table where kids (5-10) can play with flowing 
properties, measuring and volume but water is not an option.  

Has anyone used plastic pellets or other sand alternative with toys like sand 
mills, and clear acrylic measuring cups?  What sanitizing/cleaning methods do 
you use? Is scratching a problem? What's the trackability like from the play 
area? Do you use catch mats or just regular vaccumming?

Sources for the pellets would be appreciated too. The only one I have is from 
Spectrum; 4.5kg for $36

Thanks.

R.Klein
Science World 
Vancouver, B.C.

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