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Hi there Jon!

MANY years ago, I produced a successful fibre-optics interactive along these
lines. I decided that the colour-changing light source needed to be 'opened
up'. So I discarded it and made a hands-on version.

The input-end of the fibre bundle was securely mounted so it pointed
vertically downwards. A small halogen spotlamp shone vertically upwards
towards it, with a large glass magnifying hand-lens to focus the light onto
the end of the bundle.

There was a gap of about 10cm between the lens and the bundle. Here I hung a
horizontal square of clear acrylic (plexiglass) with strips of coloured
transparent plastic fixed to it. I simply cut these from the theatrical
'gels' used for coloured spotlamps. The horizontal plexiglass square hung
from four cords, one tied to each corner, so that it swung freely.

Visitors enjoyed moving the this multi-coloured light filter by hand,
watching the twinkling colours at the other end of the fibres, and they
always deliberately left it swinging to and fro as they walked away from the
exhibit.

We made up a large sign with the name of the science centre marked out with
hundreds of tiny holes. A single fibre-optic light guide was carefully fixed
into each hole...

Promoting public engagement with science
through a contagious delight in phenomena
*
[log in to unmask] * http://www.interactives.co.uk
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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)


-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jon Haavie
Sent: 18 February 2010 15:01
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Exciting fiber optics 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,

I have just got huge amounts of fiber optics (thousands of fibers about 1-3
meter long) with color changing light source from the workshop. Do you guys
have any ideas on how to make use of this in an exciting exhibit in a
science centre?

All good ideas are welcome! 


Best regards,

Jon Haavie

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