Event 2: Creative World at the California Science Center

For the second event I was able to go to the Creative World Exhibit at the California Science Center. The Creative World exhibit has a lot of different installments that teach viewers about the different way buildings are constructed and the potential problems that need to be addressed when making the buildings. Architects have more than just aesthetic to think about when laying out building plans. If someone knows what materials would be best to use or combined than they are more likely to safely push the natural limits of these materials. The placement of buildings is also extremely important because there needs to be stability underneath the building especially if there are earthquakes. Earthquakes and other natural disasters can pose serious problems to the structure of a building.

Creative World has different installments that talk specifically about earthquakes which is a big issue in California. A lot of earthquakes cannot be felt because they are too small, but they still affect the buildings and can cause structural problems. To solve this problem scientists have found patterns to build structures in so that the materials used have more support. A popular framework is a triangle truss because if triangles are pressed down on they do not flatten out like squares can. Using a triangle truss can give an architect the option to use a lighter beam and have it be just as sturdy as something heavier and more expensive or less aesthetically pleasing. As much as the aesthetic of a structure is important to people the structure also needs to be safe and durable.

Me sitting under the bridge I built at the exhibit

There are a lot of children’s toys that have been designed to be a fun way to teach children how to build and create new and different structures. At the gift shop in the California Science Center there was a ton of different toys for kids who were inspired by the Creative World Exhibit to buy so that they could build their own structures. There was also an installation that let kids and adults try to build a sturdy bridge with different colored tubes and blocks. The Creative World at the California Science Center was a really cool place to learn about how the different aspects that go into building, the art and the science behind it.

Here is a link to the California Science Center website

https://californiasciencecenter.org/exhibits/creative-world