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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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