GEAR UP: The Science of Bikes
GEAR UP: The Science of Bikes is a combination of interactive stations and displays encouraging exploration and discovery centered around the history, design, and engineering of the bicycle.
EXHIBITS
GYROSCOPE SEAT
Sit on a rotating stool, spin a hand-held bicycle tire, and see how the rotational forces move you as you turn the tire from a vertical to a horizontal position.
GEAR TABLE
Experiment with magnetic gears and learn about the power and function of simple machines.
DRAG RACE
Watch three shapes race through fluid to see which shape’s design is the most aerodynamic
HIT THE BREAKS!
Slam on the brakes on a spinning wheel, using three different pads to see how materials affect friction.
BIKE BODY XYLOPHONE
Play a series of tubes made with different materials to discover why bikes can be made from so many alloys.
SQUARE WHEELS
Can a bike ride on square wheels? Sure, if the road is the right shape!
POWER CYCLE
‘Pedal’ a crank to generate power and see how much electricity you can create to make fluorescent, incandescent, and LED bulbs glow.
CYCLOID RAMP
Roll balls down two sets of ramps – one straight, the other a specific curve. No matter where you place the two balls on the cycloid ramps, they reach the bottom at the exact same time, while time on the straight ramp depends on starting location.
ROLLER RAMPS
Roll balls down a series of ramps with the same height drop but different slopes to see Newton’s Laws in effect.
...AND MORE!
GEAR UP: THE SCIENCE OF BIKES
A FEATURED EXHIBITION THAT EXPLORES THE HISTORY AND SCIENCE BEHIND BICYCLES
From September 21st through its closing date (to be announced), The Science Zone will present GEAR UP: The Science of Bikes, developed by Carnegie Science Center (Pittsburgh, PA). From schoolyards and mountain trails to bustling city streets, we encounter bicycles nearly every day. Since its inception in the late 19th century, the bicycle has affected how people live, work, and play. Its popularity has only grown over time, and it is as relevant today as it was 100 years ago.
The invention of the bicycle made an immediate impact on society and personal mobility and helped to shape our culture. Like any great invention, it has been upgraded and adapted over the years. Because the bicycle is so commonplace, it is easy to take for granted how it actually works. At GEAR UP, visitors discover how the bicycle is an elegant example of basic science principles. They learn how bikes work; what the history/evolution of the bike is; the science and technology behind the machine; and how bikes have impacted our culture. Like the bicycle itself, the exhibition has been designed to appeal to people of all ages and with diverse interests, from STEM to design to history to art.
GEAR UP is a combination of interactive stations and displays encouraging exploration and discovery centered around the history, design and engineering of the bicycle. Each station presents either an actual bicycle from different eras over the last century, or an interactive exhibit exploring forces and motion, material science or engineering.
Among the many bicycles on display is one of the ancestors of the modern bicycle, the Penny Farthing. Visitors will also get to see classic bikes, like the Big Wheel, a number of sport bikes and various customized bicycles including a Tall Bike, a unicycle and a mini clown bike.
At GEAR UP, visitors can engage with many fun hands-on activities such as ‘pedaling’ a crank to generate power and see how much electricity they can create to
make fluorescent, incandescent, and LED bulbs glow or rolling balls down a series of ramps with the same height drop but different slopes to see Newton’s Laws in effect.
The exhibit is open Monday - Friday from 9AM to 6PM, and Saturday 9AM to 5PM.
BIKES is included with admission to the museum ($7.50 for any guest 3+, FREE for members!)
For more details, call 307-473-9663.
We love meeting new people!