Wave machine

Isolated as I am out here in the Indies where the rum is brewed, I wonder if I could ask for some exhibit help? Namely we are in the process of scripting an exhibit titled 'Wind, Tides, Currents, Trash.' In various science museums I have seen visitor-activated wave machines

The New England Aquarium in Boston has a big wave machine (or used too, anyway) that takes up a whole wall.

To poor Barry, isolated in an island paradise-

The Virginia Marine Science Museum has some really cool displays related to waves, including a wave machine with adjustable crest heights and wavelengths.

717 General Booth Blvd. Virginia Beach, VA 23451 804-437-4949

-Sarah Brooks The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works

Barry

You might try contacting the Exploratorium in San Francisco, they have a small wave machine, which makes waves when you crank the handle - and they make most of their stuff there so they might have plans or will know where to get them.

Sorry I do not have an address handy (no longer live in SF).

Good Luck Chrissie Devinney

Dear Barry:

My favorite wave machine is in the Experiment Gallery at Science Museum of

Eric Gyllenhaal

I'll second Sarah's comment. I love the Marine Science Museum in VA Beach (my home town). The wave machine there is viewable from both sides. I don't think it's viewer activated but I could be wrong(it has been a while since I was there last.) It's right in the middle of their wonderful hands-on exhibit.

Gary Acord Acord Information Management

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Hi all,

The wave machine at the Virginia Marine Science Museum _does_ demonstrate how the wave breaks on the shore and it is visitor activated. A wedge simulates the rising ocean bottom and sliding rulers and calculators are used for various experiments and measurements on wave height, period, etc. It is about 18 feet long and 3 feet wide. An electric motor with an electric clutch mechanism drives a large sheet of aluminum which acts as the paddle. When a button is pressed, the motor starts and runs for about 8 seconds, making waves, then stops. The best waves are at the start of the cycle. Even though there is a ramp at the other end of the tank, there is some reflection and the latter waves turn to mush, so this would be something to consider in a new design.

When I left VMSM, we were considering design modifications which would increase the visitor interaction such as making the wedge height adjustable and allowing the motor to be timed to create a single wave and control the wave interval. We were also looking at baffle designs for the far end to eliminate the reflection problem.

Ahhh... this brings back memories of the fun days I had scraping the mineral deposits off the indides of the glass walls with razor blades, and acrylic polish (Novus 2 has enough grit in it to buff out the deposits without scratching the glass which is possible if you don't handle the razor blade well).

Mark C. Vang Freya Ventures

340-0888 * Interactive exhibits for museums, science centers, aquariums and zoos. *