We’re glad to welcome two new exhibits to North Dakota’s Gateway to Science: Seismic Shake-Up and Radical Resonance.
These exhibits are part of the IF/THEN® Collection, an initiative of Lyda Hill Philanthropies that features the work of women in STEM.
Sound, Vibration, and Resonance
Radical Resonance features Aisha Lawrey, an electrical engineer who works with sound and vibration. Aisha previously worked at NASA, where understanding resonance was an important part of her work.
At the exhibit, visitors can:
- Swing pendulums and compare their movement
- Use tuning forks to see how vibrations change across different materials
- Watch vibrations fade over time
- Learn how resonance is used by engineers to understand and solve problems
Earthquakes and Engineering
Seismic Shake-Up features Dr. Wendy Bohon, an earthquake geologist who studies how and why the Earth shakes.
Visitors can build structures around a simulated earthquake epicenter and put them to the test. Move a structure closer or farther away, change its design, and see which ones hold up when the shaking starts.
The activity gives visitors a chance to think about force, distance, cause and effect, and engineering design while seeing how scientists study earthquakes.
The Women Behind the Exhibits
What makes these exhibits especially meaningful is the connection to the women in STEM whose work inspired them.
Their work is incorporated directly into the exhibits, giving visitors a chance to connect the activities they’re trying with real STEM careers and the people behind them.
Come see Seismic Shake-Up and Radical Resonance during your next visit!