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Cool Moves!: Three-Wheeled
Racers
Photo courtesy of Rochester Museum & Science Center |
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Turbulent Orbs
Four globes filled with pearly green fluid display the motion of
swirling currents. Visitors can light up the globes by stepping
on sensors embedded in the base of the exhibit.
Dancing Wall
By dancing around a giant kiosk, visitors trigger numerous motion
detectors, which activate multiple lights and sounds.
Three-Wheeled Racers
Interchangeable rear wheels and a long ramp with an adjustable incline
allow visitors to alter the motion of three wooden cars. Which wheel
is fastest? Slowest? Wackiest? How does slope affect the results?
Giant Pendulum
Visitors can experiment with chaotic movement as they set a giant
magnetic pendulum in motion over a field of magnets. Visitors can
change the placement and polarity of the magnets, creating new paths
for the pendulum to follow.

Cool
Moves!: Giant Pendulum
Photo courtesy of Rochester Museum & Science Center
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Crazy Pendulums
Two different types of pendulums allow visitors the opportunity
to explore the connection between force and motion. By experimenting
with the amount force used to start the pendulums, they can observe
both predictable and unpredictable movements.
Touchable Tornado
Visitors can use their hands to change the wind speed and direction
of a mini-tornado made of swirling, misty water.
Wind over Water
Using air blowers over a tub full of shimmery fluid, visitors can
observe the motion of currents created when air blows on water.
Toy boats and other objects can be placed in the fluid to see how
they are affected by the movement of the currents; visitors can
also change the angle of the air blower.
Animals in Motion
A computer kiosk invites visitors to explore the swimming, flying,
jumping, and crawling motions of a cheetah, dolphins, owls, and
other animals. Using a dial, visitors can then control the speed
of the video, observing the movements under both slow and fast speeds;
they can also watch the videos in reverse. Video footage donated
by the National Geographic Channel.
Swinging Art
Using the movements of two pendulums, visitors can create a piece
of art to take home. The paper is connected to one pendulum while
another pendulum controls a pen. The dual movements ensure that
no two drawings are alike.
Ripple tank
A shallow pool gives visitors the chance to experiment with the
movement of ripples. Different shapes can be placed in the tank
to create new ripple patterns; the component is lit from above,
so visitors can observe the wave patterns on the floor seen as shadows
through the bottom of the tank.
Visible Sound Strings
Visitors can experiment with sound as they feel the vibrations
and hear the tones produced on a four-string bass. An adjustable
strobe light can be projected onto the strings to observe the
movement of the vibrations.
Artistry of Motion Video
Visitors can watch moving clouds, a spinning waterwheel, the chaotic
tumbling of a waterfall, and a leaping and jumping kangaroo. Accompanying
narration describes different types of motion in this beautiful
4-minute video.
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Cool Moves!: Wind over Water
Photo courtesy of Rochester Museum & Science Center |
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Windy Wonders
Visitors can experiment with the fluttering movement of air using a tube that funnels air from a high-powered fan. Visitors can suspend a beach ball in mid-air and connect fittings and fabric wind catchers on the end of the tube to make different patterns of motion.
Air Instrument
Using a Theremin, an electronic instrument, visitors can create music using the motion of their own bodies. The movement of the visitors' hands controls the volume and pitch of the sounds produced by this instrument.
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