The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, October 2, 1990 - Page 7
Lay your
hands on
*this
museum
by Susan Uselmann
I magination, involvement, and fun
- these are three of the ideas which
create the atmosphere of Ann Arbor's
.Hands-On Museum. A place for
wfamily entertainment as well as
education, the concept of the mu-
seum is to provide a link between
science, technology mathematics,
art, natural history and people.
Located in the renovated firehouse
at 219 E. Huron, Hands-On is a non-
profit tax exempt corporation which
began in the mind of Cynthia Yao,
now the museum's executive direc-
O0tor. Although the idea for a hands-on
museum was at first rejected, Yao
and a group of friends and neighbors
pursued the project, eventually lead-
ing to its opening in 1982.
Supported by donations and vol-
unteers, the Hands-On Museum of-
fers over 150 exhibits to invite and
delight visitors of all ages. Anyone
from elementary age to seniors is
will enjoy the museum's attractions.
* A group of grandparents was in
town visiting their children, and de-
cided to stop by: "We've figured out
almost all of these little gadgets,
too!" was one man's excited reac-
tion.
"They're just having a ball," was
his wife's response to her husband's
nostalgic return to childhood, "It's
been fun for all of us."
Melissa Pletcher, coordinator of
public programs at the museum ex-
plained, 'There are exhibits for ev-
eryone. Adults come because of the
kids and end up having a great time
themselves."
Excitement inside covers a cornu-
copia of creative ideas: optical illu-
sions, genetics, old-time telephones,
whisper tunnels, computer games
and more. Young Pistons fans can
*,measure their height in comparison
with that of Isiah Thomas. Others
can build a body or match up the
styles of certain artists. Since
September is "structure month," pa-
trons are offered a chance to build a
Gothic arch or flying buttress.
Five-year-old Soren found his
pleasure in creating a human bubble,
as he explained its inner workings:
"The hoop makes the bubble go
'iaround me so I can break it."
Aside from the displays within,
RECORDS
Continued from page 5
ger bitch."
But the most brilliant track is
"Real Niggaz," an elaborately funky
definition of social Darwinism and
rebellion. Lines like Eazy's "nigger,
please, if you're on the dick, just
drop to your knees" simply disinte-
grate N.W.A.'s imitators. The group
defines itself as the pinnacle of real-
ity, while so many ironically try to
be as despicable as they are. "Real
Niggaz" sets a standard of the pre-
sumably lowest segment of Ameri-
can society as the most powerful and
dares the listener to follow.
Many say that N.W.A. are
through. The explanations ranke
from "Without Ice Cube, they're
nothing," to "It just won't work
again," to "Dre's lost it." Actually,
100 Miles and Runnin' is wonder-
fully more of what made the country
shake last year. Whether they play
into the Establishment's hands is
beyond me - all I can do is smile
when the cornered slave breaks his
chains and calmly, unapologetically
wrings his master's neck.
-Forrest Green i
Er
Michan&4AlumniM
woirk here:
The Wall Street Journal
The New York Times
The Washington Post
The Detroit Free Press
The Detroit News
NBC Sports
Associated Press
United Press International
Scientific American
Time
Newsweek
Sports Illustrated
USA Today
Because they worked here:
' '1
t0 W EE;A
HE DOESN'T WRITE FOR
ARTS.
You can. Call 763-0379.
FILE PHOTO/Daily
"Service that brings you to your feet"
Sandals, clogs, & shoes
for all-weather comfort
RepairService . 663-1644
209 N.4th Ave. (By Kerrytown) Mon-Sat 10-6
These kids at the Hands-on Museum are attempting to enclose themselvesi
you are not five-years-old, you will still have plenty of fun.
the museum offers an outreach pro-
gram to neighboring schools. Chil-
dren can participate in classroom ex-
periments to pique their curiosity for
the arts and sciences.
Pre-registered, pre-paid work-
shops and classes concerning every-
thing from experiments with bal-
loons and bubbles to robotics and ar-
tificial intelligence are also offered.
Not only does the museum spon-
sor educational programs, but there
are also recreational events, such as
the "Camp-In" activity, where a
group of children may stayaovernight
in the museum, eat meals and exper-
iment at their leisure.
Recently, a group of approxi-
mately 200 Soviet immigrants vis-
ited the museum, with one inter-
preter. The result was fun for all in
spite of the language barrier, demon-
strating the museum's philosophy of
making science involving rather than
intimidating, and creating an atmo-
sphere that will prove amusing for
anyone. In pursuing this goal,
in a human soap bubble. But even if
Pletcher said minds aren't the only
thing she hopes will grow and de-
velop.
"Of course the museum is always
expanding in exhibits," Pletcher
said. "However we have also re-
cently been trying to obtain more
space because we occupy almost ev-
ery nook and cranny of the fire-
house." Pletcher hopes to find a
place near the firehouse and the mu-
seum is currently investigating some
options for development.
PSYCHOLOGY MAJORS
PSI CHI '
The National Honor Society in Psychology
is now accepting applications
Requirements include:
-12 graded credits in Psychology beyond intro level
- Major or Minor in Psychology
- 3.3 Overall GPA
- 3.5 GPA in Psychology (including stats)
DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 5, 1990
Pick up Applications in K-106 West Quad
THE PUERTO RICAN SOLIDARITY ORGANIZATION
as part of the
1990 HISPANIC HERITAGE CELEBRATION PRESENTS
The Right to Self-Determination:
the Case of Puerto Rico in the United Nations
by Juan Mari Bras, A.B., J.D.
Prof. of Political Science at the University of Puerto Rico
DATE:
PLACE:
TIME:
ADMISSION:
October 3, 1990
Henderson Room (Michigan League)
7:30pm
FREE!
One of the best known Puerto Rican political leaders. He has been involved
in the struggle for Puerto Rican independence since the 1940s. He is the
author of several books dealing with the political status of Puerto Rico and
served as spokesperson for the Puerto Rican Committee to the United
Nations from 1983 to 1989.
Brown Bag Lunch with Juan Mari Bras
DATE: October 3, 1990
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: 414 Mason Hall
SPONSORED BY: Latino Studies Program
THE BEST STORIES
ARE ON TOUR.
MICHIGAN
RECORDS
On Sale Now
Cassette
sll.99 on
Compact
Disc
' Aim"
Save
Up to $100
r'f ยง
The debut album, featuring "All For You" and "Dance."
f% AA 1ft:wa Ii"1A 0% & niwIffst%
I