Building Thrill Rides: The Fun of Physics

Theres no motor on the coaster car! How does it make it over the hills? These are just some of many questions that Harsco Science Center will answer in K'NEX: Building Thrill Rides, a special exhibit that will captivate young visitors and provide them the opportunity to explore the science, math and technology behind hair-raising amusement park thrill rides.
September 30, 2006 through January 28, 2007
Presented in Gloria M. Olewine Gallery of Harsco Science Center

Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts joins forces with K'NEX Industries, makers of one of the world's most popular building toys, in this hands-on exhibit about how science puts the thrill in thrill rides. The exhibit features 14 large motorized K'NEX models of popular thrill rides, including a 6-foot-tall Ferris Wheel and a 10-foot-long roller coaster, along with interactive exhibits about motion, spin, energy and friction. For kids, the highlight of this limited engagement exhibit is the Building Stations, where budding architects and engineers can build with an unlimited supply of K'NEX. Kids don't have to leave their creations behind; they can be purchased by the ounce in a program called Weigh & Pay. Whitaker Center is the first stop on the exhibit's national tour and is located at 222 Market Street in Harrisburg, PA.

About Whitaker Center
Whitaker Center provides a wide range of science and cultural activities including educational and entertaining large-format films, interactive science exhibits and programs, multi-dimensional stage performances in Sunoco Performance Theater, and venues for public and private events. For more information on Whitaker Center, visit whitakercenter.org or call 717-214-ARTS. Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts is located at 222 Market Street in Harrisburg, PA.