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Hi William,

We built a version of the Bernoulli exhibit for a local library that is
their architectural centerpiece that is a bit unusual. The visitor can
use an inverted aspirator to launch colorful "playscape" balls up about
10 feet into a version of a gravity funnel and then these balls spiral
around and fall back down the center to a randomizer that tells where to
find things in the library. It's been a big hit, especially with the
pre-school set. I can send on photos if you'd like.

John Bowditch
Exhibits Director
Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum

-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of William Katzman
Sent: Friday, November 17, 2006 9:10 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Twists on Exhibits

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

As part of a session proposal, I'm looking to find "classic" exhibits
that
have had a small twist added to them that changes the exhibit
experience.
So, here's my question to everyone out there:  What exhibits have you
seen
that used a classic idea (such as the Bernoulli Blower), and changed it
so
that it is different (hopefully more engaging or educational)
experience.
It would also be great if you know where you saw this unique twist (what
museum).  

Examples:
The Bernoulli Blower:  Exploratorium took the single Bernoulli Blower,
added
speed controls to it, and put two blowers next to each other, along with
a
ton of different objects (part of the APE project).  This seemed to
increase
holding time, and visitor engagement.  It also allowed people the
opportunity to play with the Bernoulli idea a bit more.
I don't know if this has been done, but one person posted that based
upon
visitor feedback, (s)he wanted to create a bernoulli blower with a
square
spout since kids thought round spouts held up round objects because they
were the same shape.

At Montshire (and one other museum) I've seen an exhibit where the
developers took the Ned Kahn style Bowl of fog, and lowered one side so
that
there was a ramp, and people could block the fog and make it roll down
the
ramp in different ways.

What other "twists" have you seen?  Where did you see them?  Do you know
who
did them?


-William

William Katzman			[log in to unmask]
Director of Exhibits			(828) 322-8169 x307
Catawba Science Center		(828) 322-1585 (fax)
"Try not to become a man of success, but rather to become a man of
value"
-A. Einstein



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