water and the world: Exploratorium

This is an installation called "Icy Bodies" designed by Shawn Lani. A conveyor belt drops shavings of dry ice into a pool of water. Side lighting highlights the gas propelling from the dry ice as it propels around the shallow pool. http://exs.exploratorium.edu/exhibits/icy-bodies/ http://www.shawnlani.com/

Open MAKE is a monthly program at the Exploratorium that invites visitors to their Tinkering Studio. This month's theme was Motions and Mechanisms, allowing visitors to build marble machines on peg board. A splendid example of participatory learning and collaboration. The designer is one of the resident artists Adam Tobin who also created a toy called Frigtis. http://tinkering.exploratorium.edu/marble-machines/ http://www.think-of-it.com/frigits.html

An installation at the Exploratorium called the Tornado. Designed by Ned Kahn. http://exs.exploratorium.edu/exhibits/tornado/

"Air Rings" also designed by Shawn Lani. Most installations at the Exploratorium are free standing with minimal or no text. They are designed to encourage curiosity and experimentation. http://exs.exploratorium.edu/exhibits/air-rings/

Avalanche and Avalanche-Landfall. Visitors play with the liquid like properties of sand to create their own avalanches. http://exs.exploratorium.edu/exhibits/avalanche-landfall/

I love this image because it demonstrates the curiosity of children as well as the deviation from the old museum mind set of "no touching". A program called Squids-4-Kids sends squids out for educational purposes and can be seen here at the Exploratorium. Extremely simple design that can pack a wallop of an experience. http://news.stanford.edu/news/2010/october/squids-for-kids-102210.html

The Tinkering Studio at the Exploratorium rotates themes, providing materials for visitors to create their own experience. This theme dealt with moving air and was called "Wind Tubes". Visitors make their own objects and test their flight capabilities inside of a tube with an upward air flow. Notice the circular design allows multiple participants at once.
http://tinkering.exploratorium.edu/wind-tubes/

The "Light Island" at the Exploratorium. http://www.marinmommies.com/hands-science-fun-and-education-exploratorium-san-francisco
http://exs.exploratorium.edu/exhibits/light-island/

The Exploratorium was in the same complex as the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco.

But it closed its doors on January 2 of this year and is opening in its new location at Pier 15 and 17 on April 17th. Marc L'Italien is the architect for the new building.
http://greatescapesnorcal.blogspot.com/2011/05/peek-at-san-franciscos-new.html