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Emily and others:

While I love the interactivity of the exhibit shown in the Exploratorium
video, I am wondering about the safety aspects. I have always been told that
children should never come in contact with loose iron filings because the
filings could easily enter eyes. (Yes, the filings could be removed from the
eyes with a magnet, but we really don't want be in that predicament!)

For those of you who use black sand: does black sand pose the same hazards
as would be encountered with iron filings? Anything to worry about with
regard to safety and other concerns?

Many thanks in advance for the information!

Catherine Olmer

Executive Director, WonderLab Museum of Science, Health and Technology
Street Address:
    308 West 4th Street, Bloomington, IN 47404
Mailing Address:
    P. O. Box 996, Bloomington, IN 47402-0996
(812)337-1337, X16
(812)330-1337 fax
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On 3/17/11 11:29 AM, "emily williams" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Hello,
> I am part of an emerging children's museum and we are creating our
> first traveling exhibit called "Amazing Magnets" at a University
> Multicultural Faire in early April.  I have acquired some black sand/
> magnetite and was trying to replicate an exhibit like the one at the
> Exploratorium on Black Sand.
> http://exs.exploratorium.edu/exhibits/black-sand/
> 
>   I have been unable to find the "radar magnets" that they use, so I
> was wondering if anyone else had other suggestions for a large/tall
> magnet that would work.  Something eye catching, or if anyone knows
> where to purchase a radar magnet please let me know.  If you have any
> other ideas for a Black Sand exhibit I would love to hear them.
> Thank you
> 
> Emily Williams
> 
> Cobblestone Children's Museum
>             of Frederickburg
> 
> www.cobblestonechildrensmuseum.org

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