GREAT
EXPLORATIONS - Moving air | Forming
images | Reflecting light | Electricity
and magnetism | Spinning things | Making
sense | Changing colours | Making
sounds and waves | Moving to and fro
| Thinking about shapes
This is an old set of proven ideas, for reference. My latest designs are
far better!
Reflecting
light
Periscope
TEXT:
Look into the periscope for a view
over people's heads.
To look at something else, turn it using
the two handles.
Can you see how many mirrors there are in it?
Which way does each mirror face? Are you seeing a reflection of a reflection?
There is a footrest for small children, who can then be 'steered' by
an adult sharing the view with them. Because of the large mirrors used,
it is comical for other people to see the full face of the user looking
out at the top. It looks as if their neck has stretched.
Infinity
mirrors
(Sorry, no picture.)
TEXT:
Peep through one of the gaps between
the hanging mirrors.
Can you see a reflection of your eyes in
the other mirror?
Can you see a reflection of a reflection of
your eyes. In fact, can you see a reflection of a reflection of a reflection
of a reflection of a reflection of a reflection . . . ?
The hanging mirrors at the front can be moved, causing the 'infinity
tunnel' effect to buck and twist.
This
box is full of light
TEXT:
Does it SEEM as if there is any
light in the box?
Put your hand inside. NOW can you see any
light in the box?
You can easily see the light when it bounces
off your hand towards your eyes. But the light was shining through the
box before you put your hand inside.
I am particularly proud of this design. I based it on educational research
about people's failure to conceive of 'light-in-space'. It is easier to
think of light in terms of a light source, or a bright patch of light
'shining' onto a surface. You might not believe that such a simple exhibit
would surprise and interest people, but this one really does. (Other
designers will try and copy this idea now, and many will get it wrong.
That hole has to be inky black until you put your hand inside.)
Something
to think about
(Sorry, no picture.)
TEXT:
Is your reflection left or right
handed?
Hold your finger on the right side of your
nose and close your right eye.
Is your reflection touching the right or the
left side of its nose? What happens in the other mirror? Why does the
flat mirror seem to swop left and right but not top and bottom? But what
if you hold your head on one side?
This includes a simple, though-provoking question that has triggered
many a time-wasting argument among academics. One of the mirrors consists
of a pair at right angles in a concave configuration that does not appear
to reverse right and left. People stand here for ages, thoughtfully pulling
all kinds of silly faces.
Making
faces
(Sorry, no picture.)
TEXT:
Shhhhh . . . !
VERY QUIETLY stand behind the curtain and
watch people through these "one-way observation mirrors".
They can't see you. These mirrors reflect most
of the light shining on them, but not all of it. Enough gets through for
people on the darker side to see people on the side where there is more
light.
Two exhibits in one! Other people creep quietly behind the mirrors in
the exhibit described above, and enjoy watching the silly faces. Humour
has its place in hands-on science.
GREAT
EXPLORATIONS - Moving air | Forming
images | Reflecting light | Electricity
and magnetism | Spinning things | Making
sense | Changing colours | Making
sounds and waves | Moving to and fro
| Thinking about shapes
This is an old set of proven ideas, for reference. My latest designs are
far better!
|
