Resumen de Exploring Matter: An Interactive, Inexpensive Chemistry Exhibit for Museums
Despite its vital importance in our lives, chemistry is inadequately represented in most museums. Issues such as safety, replenishing and disposal of chemicals, supervision required, and cost are constraints that have limited the number and size of chemistry exhibits. Taking into account the constraints, a 21-station interactive and inexpensive chemistry exhibit has been designed, constructed, and installed in the Great Valley Museum on the Modesto Junior College West Campus. The exhibit is intended to stimulate interest in chemistry, demonstrate and emphasize the importance of chemistry in our lives, and provide a meaningful and enjoyable educational experience with chemistry. The centerpiece of the exhibit involves the identification of 11 elements from observations of relative density, electrical conductivity, magnetic properties, color, and luster. Descriptions of the 21 stations are included in this paper.
