Cool Moves: The Artistry of Motion

Cool Moves is currently off exhibit. 

What makes things move? What we see when we identify "motion" is actually a variety of contrasting movements: translation/rotation, continuous/vibrating and predictable/unpredictable. We can see the visual patterns and hear sounds produced by these movements -- and even create art from them!

Create and observe science in motion on the EcoTarium's Middle Level. Get hands-on with a series of individual kiosks and experiment with motion:

• Swing a giant magnetic pendulum through a field of magnets and investigate chaotic motion
• Touch -- and change the direction and speed of-- a tornado made of swirling misty water
• Create your own light and sound show by dancing to trigger motion detectors
• Make music out of thin air with your hands
• See and feel the vibrations created by sound
• Play with crazy pendulums to experiment with force and motion
• Create take-home art by using the movements of two pendulums
• Direct air flow patterns and watch what happens when a beach ball hits the force of wind

Created with funding from the National Science Foundation