NISE Net Exhibits Formative Evaluation July 2006

Report date: July, 2006

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General Description:

Cued interviews took place with 119 visitors on Thursday, July 20, 2006 at the Science Museum of Minnesota during the NISE Exhibits and Programs Workshop. Visitors were recruited to come into Discovery Hall, try out one of the 12 NISE exhibit prototypes, and provide their feedback.

Major Findings:

Visitors were asked, “In your own words, what would you say the exhibit was trying to show?” Of the 119 visitors interviewed, the actual vocabulary word “nano” was only mentioned 16% of the time. This raises the question of whether or not it is important for visitors to walk away knowing the word “nano.” When looking at the main messages for the individual exhibits and the NISE Exhibits and Programs overall main messages, the vocabulary word “nano” is often included. However, visitors use a number of nano-related concepts that are important to the main messages of NISE’s work. Some of these concepts include the future of technology, scale, and using science to help humans.

Type of product(s) studied:

Exhibit

Method(s) of data collection:

interviews
observations
surveys

Documents:

nise_net_formative_exhibits_evaluation_july_2006.pdf

Author(s):

Kirsten Ellenbogen

Associated product(s):

Introduction to Nanotechnology Exhibition

The Intro to Nanotechnology exhibition introduces the basics of nanoscience through four interactive exhibit components. These exhibits were developed by the NISE Network; copies are located at the Museum of Science in Boston, OMSI in Oregon, and the Arkansas Discovery Network.

Nanomedicine Exhibition

In the Nanomedicine exhibition, four individual exhibit components highlight nanotechnology’s vast potential for diagnosing and treating disease, as well as its ability to help damaged tissue regrow. Test for thousands of diseases with a single nano-based chip, target tumor cells for treatment with nanoparticles in a tabletop game, and regrow severed nerve endings on nanoscale scaffolding. These exhibits were developed by the NISE Network; copies are located at the Museum of Science in Boston, OMSI in Oregon, and the Arkansas Discovery Network.

Mixing Molecules

Mixing Molecules is a full-body immersive simulation demonstrating the collision of molecules at the nanoscale. The digital interface allows visitors to use their shadows to “push” animated molecules that are projected onto a screen in a darkened room. Visitors can manipulate the collsion of the molecules, speeding or slowing the formation of new compounds. The piece demonstrates the connection between the nanoscale - where individual molecules collide with each other - and the macroscale where many small random collisions appear as one larger, consistent motion.

Treating Disease

This interactive component is about cutting-edge medical treatments that are being developed with nanotechnology. Gold Nanoshells, demonstrates how tiny nanoparticles of gold are being used to destroy cancerous tumors. Visitors inject gold nanoshell marbles into the bloodstream and watch as the gold nanoshells are absorbed by cancerous cells. The visitor then activates an infrared laser and watches as the laser heats up and kills the tumor cells while leaving the healthy tissues unharmed.

Creating Nanomaterials

Creating Nanomaterials is an interactive, multimedia component of the Intro to Nanotechnology exhibit package that demonstrates how scientists are using the ability of molecules to self-assemble to create consumer goods with surprising properties. Visitors place and observe “molecules” on an air hockey table. When the air hockey table is activated, the “molecules” hover and assemble into patterns all by themselves—just like molecules in nanomaterials.

Detecting Disease

This exhibit introduces new ways of diagnosing and monitoring disease by using nanomaterials. Visitors conduct a lab test by select one of three sick patients and using a real pipette to add the patient’s blood sample to a glass slide (the GreeneChip). An on-screen animation explains what happens at the nanoscale, and the visitor is presented with a diagnosis.

At the Nanoscale

At the Nanoscale is a static component that aims to show just how super small one billionth of a meter, or one nanometer, really is. A Billion Beads is an activity where visitors inspect tubes that hold quantities of one thousand tiny beads, one million beads, and one billion beads. To the naked eye, the tube containing one thousand beads appears nearly empty. Visitors see that the next tube, partially filled, contains one million beads. Finally, to compare, a four-foot tall container nearly full contains approximately one billion beads. This component is mounted to the backside of the Intro to Nanotechnology video kiosk.

Nano Buzz

Be a part of the buzz! See what’s new with nano. NanoBuzz is a web-based kiosk featuring exhibit-ready access to current nanoscale science, technology and engineering and emerging research in the news. Discuss issues, ask questions, take a poll, meet scientists, and post your own stories, images, questions and comments. NanoBuzz requires a web connection to automatically update the station with current nano news and to allow visitors to send emails from the kiosk.

NanoLab

Nanolab is an immersive exhibit space, with activities and interactive components suitable for visitors of all ages. NanoLab explores how nanoscientists use special devices and laboratories to build and manipulate materials on the nanoscale. Visitors can dress up like a scientist, play with interactive exhibits, examine clothing and objects used in real labs, watch a video on nanoscale research, and explore the resource area for materials on nanotechnology and the basics of nanoscale science.

Nanotechnology: Fact or Fiction?

Fact or Fiction? employs graphic panels and constructible toy “nanobots” to teach visitors what’s real in nanotechnology, and what remains science fiction. Learn about the potential risks and benefits that could come with nanoscale robots, and the challenges that still prevent us from creating them. Build a toy nanobot—what could it do if it were real?

Three Drops

Three Drops is a full body immersive simulation that allows visitors to interact with water at three size scales using their shadows. At each scale, different physical forces can be observed. At the macro (human) scale, where gravity is the noticeable force, visitors are showered with water drops from a simulated shower. At the microscale--one thousand times smaller--where surface tension becomes more apparent, visitors play with a beach-ball sized water drop. At the nanoscale--one billion times smaller and time slowed by a factor of one trillion--where electromagnetic forces can be observed, visitors play with simulated water molecules. This simulation gives visitors an opportunity to interact with water at different scales and thereby discover how different forces can be observed at different scales.

Bump and Roll

Bump and Roll is an interactive exhibit that demonstrates nanomaterial properties using an everyday object: a leaf of cabbage. The nanoscale structures on a cabbage leaf cause water to bead up and slide off its surface. Scientists are replicating these “superhydrophobic” properties with nanotechnology. Drip water onto a cabbage leaf, and change the angle of the surface to see how the droplets behave. Find out about the super-small bumps that make this surprising behavior possible. Cabbage leaves must be replaced every few days, and Bump and Roll’s water tank must be refilled occasionally.