Deb,

Here are some to add to your list, they are specific
examples, but you can adapt regional/species information to
fit your exhibit topic:

Fiber optic map (of the Chesapeake Bay) which shows the
development and travels of the blue crab from it's early
stages through adulthood.  The fiber optics on the map are
synchronized to back-lit transparencies with pictures of the
various stages of development.  The centerpiece of the
exhibit is an aquarium with live blue crabs.
(Virginia Marine Science Museum - permanent exhibit)

Fully-articulated, exercise bicycle powered shark and
dolphin tails.  To operate this exhibit, the visitor
actually rides a modified exer-cycle.  The  pedal/chain
drive was modified to operate cables which moved a tail.
One bike for the shark, the other for the dolphin.  The
purpose was to illustrate how the shark tail moves
side-to-side and the dolphin tail moves up and down.
Ancillary graphic panels explain that since the dolphin is a
mammal, it's tail evolved to make it easier for it to
surface for air...
(Virginia Marine Science Museum - Dolphins, temporary
exhibit)

A story telling booth with narrations of various local
folklore operated by push-button.  The tales are narrated
"in-character" and sound effects are used to draw visitors
into the story. (Jockey's Ridge Visitors Center - permanent
exhibit, under development)

An exhibit on sportfishing where a touch-screen computer is
interfaced to a scale which, among other things, displays
the visitors weight in fish.  ex. If the visitor is viewing
information on red drum, they would see a display which
compares their weight to the fish by displaying the number
of red drum that add up to their weight.  If they weight
100lbs. and a red drum weighs 10lbs., then they would see a
scale with 10 red drum on it.  (project proposal)

Decoy painting, on a touch-screen computer.  Visitors can
select one of 5 decoy templates and they can paint the decoy
with their finger.  Various palettes, brushes and pencils
are offered in this simplified version of a standard paint
program.  A retail/home version of this program was also
developed which allows saving and printing of decoy
masterpieces. The retail/home version also allows the museum
to generate revenue from the exhibit.  (Atlantic Wildfowl
Heritage Museum - permanent exhibit)

Tower camera system which allows visitors to view ships in
the shipping lane.  The current camera angle is shown on a
map overlay of the Chesapeake Bay/Atlantic Ocean.  A
touch-screen computer allows simplified control of the
camera directional, zoom and iris controls, and presents the
visitors with icons of ship silhouettes.  The visitor can
select an icon which resembles the ship viewed via camera
video (which is presented on a 27" color monitor).
Additional information including a color photograph or video
of the ship is presented.  (The Old Coast Guard Station - in
production, opens July '98)

These are just a few examples.  I was personally involved in
all of these exhibits where my duties were the development
and construction of electrical/electronic control systems,
power transmission systems, software design, programming,
system integration and even narrative services.

I would be glad to discuss details of these projects or
others on this list, via e-mail or on the Exhibit Technology
Discussion Group at www.freyaventures.com

I would also be interested in working with your firm to
develop and produce interactives and touch-screen computer
software for your clients.

Mark C. Vang
Freya Ventures
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 www.freyaventures.com
(757) 340-0099