Operating Instructions
- The device switches on automatically, along with other educational and entertaining elements in the MOTIO center.
- Choose a workstation on the table to begin your activity:
- Comparing weights
- Testing electrical conductivity
- Detecting magnetism
- Four colored cylinders conceal materials whose properties you will investigate. Identical materials are stored in cylinders of the same color. For example, iron has its own color and appears at three workstations—similarly for foam aluminum, wood, and aluminum.
- By comparing the observed parameters, you can determine which material is hidden under each colored casing. That is the goal of the exhibit.
Interactivity:
The exhibit works with various types of materials—metals, wood, and plastic. All are presented in concealed form, marked only by color-coded identical containers. The participant’s task is to determine which material is inside each casing by investigating its properties. Magnetism is tested using a sliding magnet, electrical conductivity with a simple circuit and buzzer, and comparative weight using a balance scale. Based on the findings, the participant attempts to match each color to the correct material.
Educational Significance – Concept of the Exhibit:
The use of stone, wood, later metals, and, most recently, plastics marked major milestones in the technological advancement of human society. Not everything was always easily available for purchase—raw materials were often found freely in nature. As civilization’s demands grew, extraction moved from surface collection to underground mining. The next stage was the complex production of synthetic materials. Their physical and chemical characteristics are key parameters in evaluating their usability. This exhibit invites visitors to apply basic knowledge about material properties, engage in a bit of detective work, and even experience a moment of scientific exploration through the activity “Materials – What Is It Made Of?”
