i remember several exhibits at the museum of science and industry in chicago from my high school days. one had ping pong balls (or marbles?) falling down through a grid of pegs that caused the paths to become random. at the bottom, a bell-shaped curve gradually formed as more and more balls collected there. another popular display was wire frames dipped into a soap solution. these formed either 3-d minimal surfaces or steiner trees. bob --- George W. Hart wrote:
Funsters,
As Chief of Content at the Museum of Mathematics, http://momath.org/, which will open in New York City in 2012, I am in the midst of designing dozens of hands-on exhibits which convey the richness of math to the public (of all ages). The best exhibits are usually interactive, open ended, and visually engaging. We need to touch on many branches of mathematics beyond the school curriculum. I have been gathering ideas from many sources, but have not sent out a call to this math-fun list. So I'd be interested to hear suggestions for novel exhibits that you feel would help make MoMath the coolest hands-on museum anywhere while conveying mathematical ideas and ways of thinking.
George http://momath.org/ http://georgehart.com/
P.S. Gyroid sculpture barn raising this weekend in D.C.: http://www.georgehart.com/DC/
_______________________________________________ math-fun mailing list math-fun@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/math-fun