Bay Area Discovery Museum
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PowerHouse - P G & E
PowerHouse was a dynamic temporary exhibit that encouraged active learning about water as an energy source while conveying a positive message about energy conservation. Sponsored by Pacific Gas & Electric Company, the exhibit was housed in the old garage at the museum.Inside the steel building, a series of interactive sculptures brought energy sciences to life. On the right wall, a hydroelectric dam model intertwined with a Rube Goldberg-inspired water sculpture that represented each component of a dam. As visitors pumped water, they were able to see how it could make machines work and how it could turn a turbine and generator to create electricity.A workbench filled with weird and wonderful water-powered machines lined the left side of the converted garage. Visitors pumped water overhead then opened valves that turned water wheels and drive chains linked to each interactive element. Humor infused the experience as visitors were able to start tape reels spinning to hear opera singer Mario Lanza sing on-key. Then they could discover what it takes to turn Mario into a Soprano or Bass.The learning continued as visitors set a mechanical monkey in motion and watched as he pedaled his unicycle along an overhead track, or opened other valves to see a ping pong ball rise magically on a column of swiftly moving air.
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