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For a stand-alone energy demo, there are so many demos and topics to choose. It can be about electricity principles, potential and/or kinetic energy, sun-coal-nuclear-wind energy.
I have done an 'electricity' show for both public and schools over the last 5 years. The stand out demo for all ages has always been our modest 18" tall Tesla Coil, which emits a highly visual, continuous 8" stream of high frequency electricity. The electric field generated by the Tesla Coil wirelessly illuminates cfl, fluorescent tubes, and neon type bulbs from 12" up to 4 FEET away from the stream of electricity. How the light bulbs actually turn on in mid-air, without being plugged, is the big 'wow' factor.
It is an amazing way to illustrate types of energy, be it gamma rays, radio waves, electric fields/electro-magnetic waves, can travel through any medium, be it gas, liquid, solid or vacuum. So many tie-ins on this principle alone. This demo is best in a darkened space (or with lighting control). In daylight some of the visual is lost. The demo does require training on operating the Tesla Coil safely too -- but it can be done easily. A modest Tesla Coil like this costs around $300.
Otherwise, I think the bike generator is still a great interactive energy demo, especially if you can take it in a creative direction.
Erich's idea of hundreds of hamster wheels is great. Something like that ties in everyday objects on an entirely different scale and perspective.
A hundred pairs of light-up kids shoes, all lighting up simultaneously, is a vision in my head. You could give the shoes away to children after the demo for a hoot.
--Jeff--
Jeff Rosenblatt
Director, Science City
Union Station Kansas City, Inc.
30 W. Pershing Rd. Suite 850
Kansas City, MO 64108
Office: 816-460-2218
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-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Timshel E. Purdum
Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2011 11:28 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: electricity generation
ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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HI all
I have been asked to come up with a "wow" energy demonstration for a festival my museum is hosting in March. This is a bit out of my realm of experience so I am asking for ideas and help. (My museum is a natural history museum and most of the demos and activities we do are biology/evolution/water related).
The example I was given was "you know-like a bike to power something." My concern with that is it's very popular and everyone else has done it so I'm not sure how "wow" that is. Anyone ever tried some sort of electronic pad where people jump up and down to generate electricity? I was also wondering about "energy vampires". Our local power company (who would help fund this) has a large campaign on reducing energy vampires in the home. Does anyone know a good resource for how much energy different appliances that are plugged in use-and how much human powered energy would be equivalent?
Any other ideas? I did look through the archives of this community and got a few.
THANKS
Ms. Timshel Purdum
Senior Manager of Education
The Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-405-5071
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