Breaking Stuff in the Name of Physics

Who:

Mr. Duke's Senior Physics Class

What:

Breaking Balsa Wood Bridges

Where: Davidson High School
When:
7:18 AM April 29, 2008

Early Tuesday morning we went to visit Mr. Duke's senior physics class at Davidson High School. Mr. Duke's students do the classic physics bridge building activity. Using our bridge breaker device, a 50-pound metal and wood pressing machine, the students measured the strength of their bridges. They were also able to collect data, both video and numerical, that can be analyzed later. The strongest bridges broke when crushed by more than 300 lbs of force.

Amp in a box

Our 2007-2008 homeschool program is coming to a close. Last year we finished the year “BREAKING BRIDGES.” This time we'll end the year amped. Each student is building a “cracker box” amplifier. They will turn a pile of electrical parts into a 9 volt powered, 2 inch speaker driven, cardboard encased sound machine.

It can plug into anything that has a headphone jack and is small enough to go anywhere.

The idea for the project came from Make Magazine volume 9. http://www.makezine.com/ If you're interested in this type of electronics project, the link below will take you to a portion of the online "Cracker Box Amp" article.

http://cachefly.oreilly.com/make/09/cracker_box_amp.pdf

Cool new images from Hubble

The Hubble Space Telescope just releases some new images of galaxies colliding. Click on this link to check out a slideshow http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24282959/.

Earth Day-A Health Check Up for Our Planet

As the Health Gallery Coordinator, I've been concentrating on more than just human health.
With Earth Day right around the corner, April 22, it's time to concentrate on the "health" of our planet.

The Earth Day celebrations began yesterday, April 19th, at the Fairhope Pier. I had a blast with my coworker. We had a booth with small demos about how to prevent water pollution and reduce solid waste. We met TONS of enthusiastic festival-goers and learned about the variety of ways we could improve the health of our planet.

I met one agency, Daphne Utilities, who can turn my used cooking oil into biodiesel and glittering soap! I've already put my soap to good use and the free container I recieved from them will hold at least a month's worth of cooking oil.

The Earth Day celebrations continue this week!

I'll be at Spring Hill College on Tuesday, April 22nd from 3-6. SHC's celebration will include a live band playing acoustic music to save electricity, yummy food served in biodegradable containers, and plenty educational booths (That's where I'll be).

Friday, April 26th from 8-3:30, I'll be traveling to Turtle Point for Environment Day! This event promises to be entertaining and educational. I can't wait to meet with the local conservation groups. I had no idea how many local groups we have in our area. They will all be out at Turtle Point.

Both events are open to the public and free! So, if you missed EarthDay MobileBay yesterday, there are still opportunities for you to be a part of Earth Day. Come by our booth at either of these locations! I'd love to see you!

The azaleas are blazing at the Bragg-Mitchell Mansion

Nestled among stately live oak trees and fragrant azalea bushes, the Bragg-Mitchell Mansion is a beautiful example of antebellum architecture and one of the most photographed structures in all of Mobile. The Greek Revival-Italianate Mansion was built in 1852 for the Bragg family to enjoy Mobile's social season from Thanksgiving through Mardi Gras. More than a century later, their homestead continues to be the preferred setting for corporate functions, elegant weddings and a glimpse into Mobile's past.

In the late '70s, the Mansion was donated by the A.S. Mitchell family to the Explore Center to house an interactive children's museum for the citizens of Mobile; however, to protect the historic integrity of the Mansion the Board of Trustees chose to build the Exploreum Learning Center adjacent to the structure. In 1998, the Exploreum Learning Center moved downtown and became the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center & IMAX Dome Theater.

Historic home tours of the Mansion are available Monday through Friday. Be sure to enjoy this jewel of Springhill Avenue. Since the Bragg-Mitchell Mansion is a sister attraction of the Exploreum, members receive $1 off admission for up to 4 guests. Please present a valid membership card to redeem this discount.

Photo courtesy of Jeff Tessney Photography

One Insider's Perspective

Where else can one become a crime scene investigator, a news anchor, a roller coaster designer, and an intergalactic traveler, journeying through space and time -- all in one day?If there is such a thing as a WOW factor, you can definitely find it here at the Exploreum!

Strolling through the exhibits on the first day as a marketing intern, I jerked my head back and forth while deciding what to tackle first. I noted the interaction of visitors--with each other and the exhibits--and was awed at what the Exploreum has to offer. The Gulf Coast Exploreum attracts hundreds of visitors a day from all across the country. Their most recent blockbuster exhibit, Our Body: The Universe Within, provides an experience beyond compare and one that can not be easily put into words--except to say WOW!

A short affiliation with the Exploreum has given me what years of grade school barely accomplished--a greater appreciation for science.

--Jennifer Liddell

Snake Encounters

SNAKE ENCOUNTERS is back by popular demand!

Daryl Sprout, your favorite herpetological humorist, and his slithering friends are scheduled to make an appearance July 18-20. Daryl and company packed the house last summer -- and this year we've added an additional show.

Meet the new star of his show, Capone. Capone is a black and white Tegu that Sprout adopted during his last visit
to Mobile. Capone is not technically a snake, but this
adorable lizard has been entertaining audiences throughout the United States. You won't want to miss his appearance in front of a hometown crowd!

Want to learn more about Daryl Sprout or Capone? Visit their blog.

Want snake-y activities and facts about how snakes get around?
Check out How Stuff Works.

Tim's a Star!

Tim Pula, our resident friendly scientist and science coordinator, made an appearance on WKRG's morning show on St. Patrick's Day. He even remembered to wear green. He was so great -- he should have his own segment! Check it out.

Membership makes good cents!

Of course membership makes good sense. By supporting informal science education, Exploreum members invest in the future, provide lifelong learning activities for children and adults, and sustain tourism endeavors for the entire Gulf Coast area.

Membership makes good cents too! Our members save money on IMAX tickets, exhibit vouchers and gift shop purchases. And now, members receive a 20% discount in the Creative Cafe on-site, as well as discounts at area attractions along the Gulf Coast.

By presenting a valid Exploreum membership card, take advantage of these offers:

• $1 off admission to the Bragg-Mitchell Mansion
  
• The Estuarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab - $1 off admission & 15% discount in Gift Shop
  
• Bellingrath Gardens & Home -- 15% off in Gift Shop
  
• USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park -- $2 off adult admission
  
• Mobile Museum of Art -- $2 off adult admission
  
• The Museum of Mobile -- $1 off admission & 10% discount in Gift Shop

And, by the way, this is NO April Fool's joke!!!