Engineering exhibits shown at science place

Logan Bostic, 5, of Mabank and Hunter Rose, 11, play with “Watts of Fun” display at Discovery Science Place in downtown Tyler. Photo by Jessica Sibbing.

Two-year-old Hayes Hamman may not understand the possibilities associated with mechanical and electrical engineering, but he is already testing the limits. The toddler was trying out Watts of Fun, one of two new displays at Discovery Science Place featuring the senior design projects of University engineering students.

“Cal-wees,” the boy said, hand-cranking a generator. “I burn ‘em.”

Watts of Fun focuses on different aspects of electrical and mechanical engineering. A second project, Solar Tower, explains the marvels of solar power. The displays already are creating a stir among guests, said Michael Shanklin, executive director of Discovery Science Place, 308 N. Broadway Ave.

“Both displays are located in the Discovery Landing Exhibit Hall of DSP and will remain there for the foreseeable future,” Shanklin said.

Watts of Fun is a game in which one or two players see how much electrical energy each player can generate in a 30-second period, said David Beams, associate professor of electrical engineering.

The project is the creation of University electrical and mechanical engineering students Matthew Galland, Daniel Laskowski and Lloyd Hutton. Watts of Fun teaches basic principles of electrical engineering, specifically the conversion between mechanical and electrical energy, Beams said.

Solar Tower teaches children about alternative energy resources of the future by showing how a field of mirrors could be used to produce solar power. Solar Tower is the creation of mechanical-engineering students Travis Streeter, Rachael Priestly and Aaron Head. Mechanical engineering professor Thomas Crippen said the projects are not created overnight. “There are two courses, beginning in the fall and ending in the spring,” he said.

Students pick from a list of suggested projects and then work out the challenges together throughout the courses. Design projects are not mandatory group endeavors, but students are encouraged to work as a team and share ideas, Crippen said. Both design groups asked for their projects to be on display at Discovery Science Place.

University Students worked closely with the DSP staff to ensure the displays would be attractive to young visitors. “Displays that do nothing, or that always do one thing, do not hold the attention of young children - or most adults for that matter,” Beams said.

Another challenge is durability, Shankin said. “However strong you think it needs to be, quadruple it,” he said with a smile.

Twins Hilton and Sutton Peveto, 5, spent several minutes experimenting with the Solar Tower display. “I like it because the lights are shiny,” Hilton said. Kaidon Ferrell, 5, said he preferred the Watts of Fun. “I like it best because I won,” he said after his victory over Christian Smith, 5.