CLEVELAND -- Things have taken a sticky twist in Cleveland.
The Great Lakes Science Center has unveiled its TapeScape-Sticky Science exhibit, which is now open through Labor Day.
Using packing tape, the Science Center and designer/artist Eric Lennartson built a two-level, 1,300-square-foot, all-ages playground made entirely of the sticky stuff.
“Lennartson harnesses the tensile strength of tape – or its ability to stretch under stress – to design unique, multisensory installations strong enough for kids and adults to climb on and explore,” the Science Center explains.
And get a load of this… There’s nearly 75 miles of tape, which is enough to stretch from downtown Cleveland all the way to Youngstown.
This special temporary exhibition is included with general admission, and does require guests to wear socks. Wearing sandals? Don’t worry. Socks are available at the Science Center.
Here’s more about their new “Sticky Science” exhibit:
Surrounding the TapeScape structure itself are multiple hands-on exhibits exploring “Sticky Science” from adhesives to polymers and even examples of adhesion in nature. Using everything from Velcro to Oreo cookie models, and suction cups to bristle blocks, guests will discover the physical and chemical processes that contribute to “stickiness” by:
- Using a pinscreen to investigate how geckos cling to glass.
- Exploring the ways science draws inspiration from nature through biomimicry.
- Turning a device to compare viscosity levels in different liquids.
- Looking through a polariscope to view rainbows of stress in clear tape’s backing, and assemble a puzzle that appears clear to the naked eye.
- Observing the way Velcro's hooks mimic plant burrs, and learn how science looks to nature for innovative solutions to everyday problems.
- Pulling apart Oreo cookie models to learn about adhesion versus cohesion.
- Discovering how sticky tape can turn frosted glass clear.
- Getting creative at a maker’s station that invites guests to get their hands on more than 11 miles of duct tape in a range of colors and designs.
The exploration of tape includes opportunities to examine tape artifacts from local manufacturer ShurTech, including clothes made for their annual Duck Tape Fashion Show, and see colorful sticky note murals. A “TotScape” area will provide our youngest guests a play-place of their own, complete with their own tape structure, bristle blocks building area and a “felt to flannel” wall that will show that adhesion isn’t always “sticky”!
