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Hiya!  We are beginning to prototype the following exhibits.  I know some of these are fairly common, so any tips, tricks or cautions appreciated!

A.	Forces & Motion

•	Roller Racer. A variety of wheels are set rolling down a sloped track - weight distribution on the rim, hub, axle, irregular distribution, etc. affects how each behaves.

•	Centripetal Spinner.  A desk-sized table has 3 rotating disks making up most of its surface area.  As you roll any of a series of hoops, disks or balls in a straight line across its surface, you see the resulting change in path and motion.


B. PinBell Table 

•	A simplified pinball machine allows visitors to arrange a series of metal and wooden shapes on the angled playing surface, then release a steel ball to play the tune.


C. Structures Trio

•	Catenary Arch – Table top ‘build-it’ version, where the arch is laid out horizontally, then lifted vertically via hinged plate and left standing.

•	Resonance Towers – Replicate a basic shake table mechanism, with variable speeds.  Mounted on this are three nylon (?) rods, each fitted with a repositionable center weight that can be moved up or down the rod, changing the center of mass, and thus the resonant frequency at which it will shake.

•	Bridge Strength – Visitors use materials to span a gap, then add weights to a basket suspended from the bridge to see how much it will support before it collapses.  

- Dennis Bateman, Director of Exhibits, Carnegie Science Center

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