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

Leslie,

Here at Split Rock Studios we do lots of landforms with exposed soil.  When
our artistic fabrication folks are making one of these things, they tend to
just glue native dirt to the outside by mixing it with Elmer's white glue or
an industrial product that is very similar.  The stuff is remarkably tough.
Rock layers are sculpted by hand using polyurethane foam covered in
fiberglass. The final sculpting is done in a two part epoxy clay called
polygem.  Then the rock work is painted.  The epoxy is bulked up using
ground walnut shells powder which makes it incredibly hard and durable.

If you need any further advice feel free to contact me directly and I will
put you in touch with one of our art-fabians.

Mike
 

On 7/30/09 11:22 AM, "William Katzman" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
> 
> Those all work...or use your favorite glue, epoxy or urethane to bond
> the soil layers on the side of anything....quite nice decor if you
> walk downstairs into the basement of your building and you walk down
> through the layers.
> 
> -William
> 
> On Jul 30, 2009, at 10:16 AM, Leslie Goddard wrote:
> 
>> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
>> Centers
>> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
>> institutions.
>> *****************************************************************************
>> 
>> Does anyone have suggestions for constructing a display showing layers
>> of soil in cross-section? We'd like to show in general terms the
>> layers
>> of soil -- from topsoil down to bedroock -- underneath our region.
>> Some
>> kind of tall transparent planter? A terrarium? Has anyone done this or
>> seen it done creatively elsewhere?
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Leslie Goddard
>> Exhibit Developer
>> The Morton Arboretum
>> 4100 Illinois Route 53
>> Lisle, IL 60532
>> tel: 630-719-4888
>> fax: 630-719-7956
>> [log in to unmask]
>> www.mortonarb.org
>> 
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> 
> William Katzman
> Program Leader
> LIGO Science Education Center
> [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.
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