Overview
The
Big Lab is just that - BIG! Approximately 32,000 square
feet of space are utilized to do hands-on science. Several years
of effort went into creating this inquiry space for
investigation and learning. Four main areas, each with
a different scientific focus, make up this lab:
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Exploration
Grove
 Students
learn about ecology and earth science in this green
area. Ladybugs make the grove's bamboo garden their
home in the spring and a pond in the center is
full of fish, frogs, and other living
creatures. The Exploration Grove gives a sense
of tranquility, away from the outside world, as
it is surrounded by natural growth.
Fun
Fact: It takes about 12 to 16 weeks for the
tadpoles to hatch from frog eggs and turn
into an adult frogs themselves. |
|
Water
Works
In this amazing pool of water, students
can conduct their own water orchestra with water
pumps that create
fountain effects. At the same time, students learn
how water moves.
Students
also can discover how objects move through water
as well as basic design and experimentation with
the Big Lab's large fans and armada of miniature
sailboats.
Fun
Fact: There are 8,997 gallons of water in
the Water
Works pool.
Fun
Fact: To create the fountain water effects,
there are 4 small pumps, 2 large pumps, 2
jumping jets, and 2 water lamps to illuminate
the water in the dark. |
|
Mega
Tower
 Students
can conduct physics experiments from a very tall
tower by dropping balls, water balloons, parachutes,
eggs, and other objects.
Fun
Fact: The Mega Tower is 29 ft, 10 in. |
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Giant
Wall
 In
the hole-filled lower portion of the wall students
can build structures, create mini-roller coasters,
attach small launchers or use their imaginations
to construct any number of tools to explore physical
science and engineering. Discover the way things
move and how gravity affects movement.
The
upper portion of the wall is made up of thousands
of metallic tiles to test the effects of wind
energy. Fans on each side of the wall
blow into the shimmering tiles to create interesting
ripple patterns.
In
the center of the wall, a multimedia presentation
area is available for young science investigators
to present their findings.
Fun
Fact: There are a whopping 1,500 holes in
the Giant Wall. |
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