Imagination Station opens new Energy Factory
BP-Husky Refining, LLC and First Solar have partnered with Imagination Station,
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The “Floating in Copper” exhibit works on a property of
magnetism called ‘eddy currents,’ which can also be applied
on a much larger scale to stop a rollercoaster. (Photo courtesy
of Imagination Station)
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Toledo’s hands-on science center, to create the newest addition to the already-engaging family of Learning Worlds.
The new “Energy Factory” offers visitors a look into the worlds of oil refining and solar power through a number of engaging explorations designed by BP and First Solar, Imagination Station team members and ROTO Studios, which manufactured the exhibits.
Upon entering, visitors will find several exhibits that explore the oil refining process, including:
• The Ball Refinery, a hands-on version of the oil refining process that uses colorful balls in place of crude oil to explain the process of refining.
• Discover Energy Storywall, an animated exploratory of how oil is created, located and extracted, how it is refined and what it can be made into.
• Energy Brain Quiz – test your knowledge of energy myths.
• The Voice of the Visitor, which offers visitors the opportunity to give their opinion on important energy topics.
The latter half of the Learning World is positioned purposefully on the picturesque riverfront of the science center, where natural sunlight is abundant. Exhibits included in this area are:
• The Photovoltaic Wall (or PV Power Panel), is made from eight industrial PV panels that collect photons from incoming sunlight and convert them into electricity. (Become a cloud and block out the light.)
• Follow the Sun, an interactive single-person game that challenges visitors to capture the most amount of energy as they track the light.
• Solar Shoot Out, a competitive experience that encourages opponents to build up as much power as possible while blocking out the sunlight for their competitor.
• Program a Robot, which offers a hands-on opportunity to explore the importance of robotic technology for use in the solar power industry.
A variety of additional exhibits that focus on other forms of energy are located throughout Energy Factory, like the Thermal Camera, which offers the opportunity to visualize heat; Magnetic Clouds, an exhibit that allows visitors to “see” the shape of an electromagnetic field (or EMF); the Turntable, which demonstrates spin energy transfer as energy is transferred from a rotating table to objects visitors place on it; and Floating in Copper which displays a property of magnetism called eddy currents.
“Since this region has a strong focus in the renewable energy industry, the opportunity to partner with Imagination Station to bring education on solar power to the children in our community was ideal,” said Carol Campbell, executive vice president of Human Resources for First Solar.
“Everyone uses petroleum-based products every day and this new Learning World at Imagination Station will provide visitors with a deeper understanding of the oil refining process,” said Mark Dangler, president of BP-Husky Refining, LLC.
“We are incredibly grateful to BP and First Solar for their generous contributions to the science center and to their dedication to the education of the children of Toledo,” said Lori Hauser, executive director of Imagination Station. “It is because of partnerships like these that we will continue to be on the cutting edge of technology and knowledge in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) areas of study and future career choices.”
The Energy Factory was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony May 13.
Imagination Station is located at One Discovery Way in downtown Toledo. Call 419-244-2674 or visit www.imaginationstationtoledo.org for more information.
The “Floating in Copper” exhibit works on a property of magnetism called ‘eddy currents,’ which can also be applied on a much larger scale to stop a rollercoaster. (Photo courtesy of Imagination Station)
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