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Hi Paul

I recently made a module on the EM spectrum for an astronomy  
exhibition. It consists of seven light boxes with images of the  
Universe in different wavelengths lined up along the EM spectrum.  
Visitors approaching the module can first see the Universe in visible  
light only. For an image in the non-visible range you have to push a  
button. You then can see that there are amazing things out there  
invisible to the bare eye, and wonder how these images were made.  
This points to the need of special instruments (and of doing image  
processing).

A device from everyday life, having to do with the corresponding  
radiation, is attached to each light box: a cell phone for radio  
waves, a microwave oven for microwaves, a toaster for infrared,  
glasses for visible light, a sunblock lotion for uv, an x-ray image  
for x-rays, a nuclear warning shield for gamma rays. The objects  
refer to radiations we cannot see but know from experience that they  
exist.

The module is not about explaining how the EM spectrum works but  
about connecting the concept of (invisible) radiations to personal  
experiences. It is about the idea that there is something out there  
that we don't see but of which we know that it is effective, both in  
space and in our microwave ovens. And that it is important to study  
the Universe in multiple wavelengths.

The module could be improved and further developed. For example by  
providing instruments/detectors to look through rather than using  
push buttons to see things invisible to the bare eye. I'm interested  
in the solutions you will find in approaching the topic of the EM  
spectrum in your exhibition.

Best,

Hanna


fingertip hands-on stationen
birchlenstrasse 10, ch-8600 dübendorf
+41 43 355 92 70, www.fingertip.ch


Am 16.09.2009 um 22:56 schrieb Paul Siboroski:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology  
> Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related  
> institutions.
> ********************************************************************** 
> *******
>
> Greetings everyone,
>
>
>
> Does anyone know of any good (or bad) exhibits that tackle the  
> topic of
> the EM spectrum?  I imagine that any would most likely be connected to
> "space exploration" themed exhibitions, but I would be interested in
> knowing about any such exhibits past or present.
>
>
>
> Thanks so much!
>
>
>
>
>
> Paul M Siboroski
>
> Exhibits Director
>
> Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
>
> San Diego California
>
> Phone: 619.685.5742
>
> FAX: 619.685.5771
>
>
>
>
> ********************************************************************** 
> *
> For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers  
> and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
>
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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.

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