by Joan Marie Galat
As a science author, I want to know
the who-what-when-where-why-how of almost everything and traveling always
triggers a myriad of fresh questions. T
hat’s why, when my presentation schedule took
me to Sudbury, I knew I had to make time to visit Science North. A visit to
this first-class science center delivered the answers I wanted, but even
better, it brought new topics to my attention. Here’s a selection of some of
the irresistible facts I enjoyed discovering.
What formed the massive impact crater on the outskirts of Sudbury, Ontario?
Formed
about 1.8 billion years ago, the Sudbury Basin is the second largest impact
crater in the world. Most sources indicate it was created by a meteorite,
however recent evidence suggests it may have been caused by a comet.
The crater covers an area of about 30 x 60 kilometres (18 x 37
miles). It’s the source of nickel, copper, and 15 other minerals that have made
Sudbury one of Canada's largest mining centers. So far, more than
125 craters have been found on Earth. NASA provides a nice teacher's guide with
activities on impact craters.
What does it feel like to sleep on a bed of nails?
The sign said it wouldn’t hurt “much” and I suppose that’s an apt description, since
I didn’t scream “very” loud when I tried it. The reason? If you drape
yourself on one nail, your weight will push down on a single sharp point. If
you stretch out on a bed of nails, your weight will be distributed over a large
area. Still, I couldn’t sleep.
How long is your small intestine?
Pull a rope out of a human cut-out to
get the full visual—your small intestine is more than 5.5 metres (6 yards) long
. You
might also like to know a 70 kg (154 pound) person’s body contains about 10
nails-worth of iron. You’ll also find enough salt to fill three shakers and water
to fill 18 one-liter bottles (almost 5 US gallons). All that salt and water is
protected by your skin. If you’re an average sized adult, your skin weighs 3-5
kilograms (7-11 pounds) and covers two square meters (2.4 square yards). It’s thickest
on the soles of your feet and thinnest on your eyelids.
What is it like to be a newsreader on television?
Discover the science of television!
Face the camera, hit record, read the teleprompter, and try to tell the world
the latest science news without stumbling. If it’s not as easy as you thought,
try to improve your delivery by reading more. Literacy matters.
How is animation created?
Arrange figurines on a tiny set, take a photo, rearrange again, and repeat the
entire process a half dozen times. Follow the computer instructions and watch
your creation come to life on a computer screen. Knowing how animation works
makes watching
We are Aliens in the
science centre’s 360-degree digital planetarium even more fun. The show
explores whether it’s possible to find life beyond Earth and what that might
look like.
Three dimensional animation also brings woolly
mammoths, sabre toothed tigers, and dire wolves to life in the centre’s
Titans of the Ice Age. An
accompanying exhibit explores Earth’s frozen landscapes in the time period encompassing 10 thousand years before modern civilization.
You will discover how how creatures like this macrauchenia adapted to the cold environment and how prehistoric humans hunted this mega
fauna. Ice eventually made it possible for North and South American animals to
mix, causing some species to become extinct, and others to thrive.
Another plus at Science North is the chance to enjoy up close
looks at live wildlife including frogs, skunks, turtles, a porcupine named Quillan,
and Drifter, a beaver who can’t be released because part of his tail was lost to
frostbite. Outside the science centre, a walk along Ramsey Lake provides the
opportunity to discover flora and fauna in a natural setting.
Look for aquatic insects, chipmunks, Canada
geese, and sandhill cranes. I especially enjoyed spotting the monarch
waystation designed to provide nectar and shelter to migrating butterflies. Interpretive
signage outlines a few human-caused problems. You can find out what happens if you release non-native plants or animals into the wild and how washing a car on a driveway allows detergents, grease, and other chemicals to enter waterways.
Next time your travels take you
near a science center, take advantage of the opportunity to have your
who-what-where-why-how questions answered too. You might find yourself thinking
in new ways about how science applies to your own environment.
