Sample of Discovery Interactive Exhibits

The exhibit program was developed to foster a child’s natural creativity and to encourage the understanding of science as consistent with inquiry-based science education as recommended by the National Academy of Sciences. Discovery Science Center empowers the visitor to observe, infer and experiment to develop an understanding of both scientific concepts and technology. The exhibits explore physical and earth sciences, and how we interact with and learn about the world around us.

Exhibit Areas:

Discovery Stadium, Science of Hockey, Techno Arts, Air & Space, Human Perception, Quake Zone, Dynamic Earth, Air & Space, and KidStation. In addition, there is the state-of-the-art Digital Lab computer classroom, two additional classrooms and a traveling exhibit gallery where special exhibits, corporate parties and proms are held.

The following are a few of the interactive exhibits both the young and the young-at-heart will enjoy when they visit Discovery Science Center.

Virtual Volleyball

Virtual Volleyball is a fun and unique volleyball simulation game that teaches visitors about green screen, or chroma key, technology. Guests are invited to play a game of one-on-one, or play in teams of up to four people per team. Upon entering the court, each team member's image is digitized into a virtual volleyball environment that can be viewed on overhead TV screens. When the game begins, guests must watch the screens above in order to launch the virtual ball over the net to the other side. Others waiting to play can cheer their favorite team in the fan stands just outside the court. This exhibit is a real crowd pleaser!

Bed of Nails

The Bed of Nails is essentially a large wooden table with about 3500 sharp steel nails embedded in it. The visitor lies down, presses a button and the nails rise to support the full weight of the body. Due to the equal distribution of body mass over all the nails, the visitor does not get hurt. Through this fun, full-body experience, the visitor learns that the larger the area over which a force is distributed the less pressure exerted on any one point.

Recollections

Visitors can step into a 10’ x 10’ room and a hidden camera will take real time video of the their movements. Their entire body image will be projected on a screen in a beautiful animated sequence of color and light. This exhibit gives the visitors a unique experience of seeing themselves in a "new light."

Shake Shack

In a state well known for its tremors, Discovery Science Center houses an area dedicated to the natural phenomenon of earthquakes. Another full-body experience, the Shake Shack is an earthquake simulation room where visitors can sit or stand on a large platform and experience an historic quake.

Lift Yourself

Visitors are invited to sit in one of three different seats. Each of the seats is attached to a different pulley system. By pulling on a rope, the visitors hoist themselves four feet into the air. The number of pulleys used changes the effort needed to lift themselves. Thus, visitors experience the ease or difficulty with which they can raise their own body weight.

Kalliroscope

This beautiful "turbulent disc" is filled with a liquid substance that forms fantastic patterns as you spin it. This exhibit is a great teaching tool as it demonstrates fluid dynamics. Natural occurrences which are simulated in the Kalliroscope are the movement of ocean currents and atmospheric flows of air.

Tornado

The exhibit boasts an eight-foot-tall tornado. Visitors can step up to this twister, redirect its pattern or dispel it altogether. This artificially generated tornado gives visitors a safe and close-up look into the workings and shapes of a real twister.

Cloud Ring

Clouds inside? Our guests have an opportunity to create their own cloud rings in the science center. Visitors are able to watch the rings they make ascend two stories into the air.