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Subject:
From:
Rubideau <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 22 Aug 1996 18:00:12 -0400
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Are you creative and mathematically literate?

        The National Science Foundation has sponsored a major mathematics
project at the Science Center of Connecticut. I'm working on developing a
theme and exhibit ideas for the next phase (small group) of mathematics
exhibits. There will be five phases, and this next theme will be the
second phase. Do you have any ideas for themes or exhibits?
        FYI, the first phase was called Mathmagical Toys, is mostly
designed, and is about halfway fabricated. Our intention was to explain
some math ideas in the guise of toys or toylike items. A quickie
description of some of Phase I:

Title:  Mathmagical Toys

Overview: Kids deal with math everyday, although they often don't know it.
Even parents can be surprised by the illustrations and examples of math
found in toys and play activities.

                Exhibits:       1) A drawing machine that produces two
images at once. You draw an image, and the machine mirror-reverses it
(symmetry and symmetry operations).

                                2) Giant kaleidoscope that shows symmetry
(symmetry and symmetry operations).

                                3) Building blocks that let you build many
different styles of kaleidoscopes (symmetry and symmetry operations).

                                4) An automatic bubble machine that
launches a stream of bubbles that fall into a large pit (minimal
surfaces).

                                5) Probability pinball machine that builds
up a normal distribution and simulates mechanically a series of "bets" at
a casino. Odds of one trial's winnning or losing are adjusted to
approximate blackjack.

                                AND SO ON...

The question is, what should we do next? Responses that do any of the
following things would help me.
                1) Any ideas for a next theme?
                2) Any exhibit unit ideas?
                3) Know anyone we should talk to?

Thanks for your attention. Wonderful and amazing responses just may get
credit in the final exhibit! Your name in lights!

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