Design Zone Shows Math And Science Secrets

Design Zone, one of the new exhibits, is sharing the math and science principles that rollercoaster engineers, videogame developers and music producers use everyday.

The exhibit, which will be open through Sept. 5, uses 26 experiential play stations to teach kids how creative problem solvers do their jobs.

is divided into three thematic areas of art, music and engineering. In each area, visitors are invited to discover how design principles come into play behind the making of a laser light show, digital pictures, a skate park, a video game and many more. The idea is to get kids learning through play.

At the Digital Picture Calculator exhibit, for example, an individual or small group can sit at a video screen and pose for a digital picture. By following the prompts to alter their image, they discover how algebra is used to adjust pixel values to change the photo into black, white or shades of gray. After adding color and/or graphic images, visitors are invited to preserve their photo as a keepsake by e-mailing it directly to their personal computers.

On July 16, younger children bounced around from station to station, more interested in just punching buttons than paying close attention to subtleties. But the older elementary students, middle schoolers and teens took time to read the directions before trying to design a videogame or find out how a laser light show technician creates cool-looking patterns.

Alana Snead, 9, a fourth-grader at MOSI Partnership School who was visiting the exhibit with her mother, Paula, said she loved the exhibit and the way it helped her understand science. Paula said she thinks her daughter made the honor roll last school year thanks to exhibits like Design Zone.

“MOSI has been a leader in providing the Tampa Bay community with quality educational programs for many years to support STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education,” said Wit Ostrenko, president of MOSI. “The Design Zone exhibition at MOSI is just another step in leading our youth in the right direction and supporting the objectives of STEM by allowing all of our guests to explore their creative side, as well as math and science related literacy.”

Michelle Imhoff, leader of Webelo Scout Troop 606, brought her youngsters to MOSI and said that playing in the Design Zone gives the kids a “chance to work on their scientist badge.”

Stephen Currymorgan, 9, who was part of the troop, played in the exhibit.

“It is an exciting place to be,” he said.