Amazeum gears up for exhibit

Exhibition rolls in bike science

Scott Family Amazeum Adult Night guests were treated Sept. 23 to a preview of “GEAR UP: The Science of Bikes,” the museum’s new traveling exhibition, which opened to the public Sept. 24. Preview participants were encouraged to pedal to the party and had the option of joining one of three group rides to the museum lead by 37° North Expeditions leaving from Bentonville Brewing Company.

Organizers say: “Bicycles are an integral part of the culture, economy and quality of life in Northwest Arkansas. We see them every day on city streets, country roads, the world’s greatest mountain bike trails and the Razorback Greenway. In our part of the world, bikes affect how we live, work and play on a daily basis.

“The cycle-themed Adult Night celebrates the bicycle, creativity and curiosity, and gives grown-ups an opportunity to play without worrying about what the kids might think.”

According to a news release, the exhibition was developed by Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, Pa., and produced in partnership with the Sciencenter in Ithaca, N.Y. “The interactive exhibit displays the bicycle as an elegant example of basic science principles, material science and technology integrated into the world’s most recognizable mode of transportation.”

“GEAR UP” includes 10 bikes exemplifying these categories: • Origins – Ancestors of the modern bicycle, such as the Penny Farthing.

• Classics (1930s-1970s) – From streamlined bikes such as the Black Phantom to Boomers’ Big Wheels and Schwinn Sting-Rays. • Sport Bikes (1970s-present) –

Multi-speed cycles from pro competition to everyday use. • Oddities and Offshoots – Bicycles customized in endless ways, from tall bikes to unicycles to clown bikes.

In addition, the exhibition includes a dozen interactive science activities, including:

• Hit the Brakes! – Visitors put on the brakes on this spinning disk, using three different pads to see how materials affect friction.

• Bike Body Xylophone – A series of tubes of different materials is “played” by the visitor to explore why bikes can be made from different alloys.

• Gear Table – For younger visitors, a table of magnetic gears allows them to experiment with simple interlocking mechanisms of their own making.

The exhibit is open Monday and Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission to the Amazeum is $10 for adults and children age 2 and older and includes access to “GEAR UP: The Science of Bikes.” Children younger than 2 and Amazeum members are admitted free every day.

Partners for the play date night included Speakup About Drugs, Bentonville Brewing Company, Koon’s Saloon, Local Moh-tiv, Food Loops and 37° North Expeditions.

The Scott Family Amazeum is a hands-on, interactive museum featuring science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) activities for families. Located at the intersection of J Street and Museum Way in Bentonville, the Amazeum experiences include a climbable tree canopy, indoor cave, the 3M Tinkering Hub, Hershey’s Lab, Nickelodeon PlayLab, the Market sponsored by Walmart and nearly one acre of outdoor space.

Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at cschoppmeyer@ nwadg.com.

(Courtesy photo) An Amazeum guest displays her work created by using bicycle chain rings and markers.

(Courtesy photo) “GEAR UP” guests pull themselves up on the pulley chairs at the Amazeum Adult Night.

(Courtesy photo) Organizers say: “Suspending adulting is a hallmark of an Amazeum Adult Night.”

(Courtesy photo) “Gear Up” not only looks at the origins of bicycling but also includes activities studying the science of braking, why bikes can be made from different alloys and how gears function.

(Courtesy photo) Adult Night participants use stationary bikes to generate power for LED racers at the Amazeum on Sept. 23.

(Courtesy photo) Scott Family Amazeum supporters stand for a photo at the children’s museum Adult Night.

(Courtesy photo) Adults discover the rotational force of physics in the gyroscope seat experiment in “GEAR UP: The Science of Bikes.”

(Courtesy photo) Adult Night participants “GEAR UP” for a preview of the museum’s new traveling exhibition Sept. 23 at the Scott Family Amazeum in Bentonville.

(Courtesy photo) Amazeum guests celebrate creation during Adult Night.