DAVIE, Fla. – What’s the angular velocity of the Blender Ride as it spins around the center post? This is just one of many questions that Young At Art Children’s Museum will answer during K’NEX: Building Thrill Rides, a new, national exhibition that opens on Thursday, June 10, 2010 and runs through Sunday, September 19. A preview party For K’NEX will be held on Wednesday, June 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. and is open to the public. Admission is $8 per person and free for Young At Art Museum members.
A special exhibition that will captivate young visitors, K’NEX: Building Thrill Rides will provide children with the opportunity to explore the science, math and technology behind hair-raising amusement park thrill rides. The realistic actions of the models will bring scientific and engineering concepts to life for students, who will be able to conduct simple experiments to explore physical forces such as potential and kinetic energy, and linear and rotational motion.
Young At Art will provide hands-on art activities and K’NEX building areas designed to enhance and supplement science, math and technology education.
“K’NEX brings art to life through the colorful sculptures of some of our favorite amusement park rides while tapping into children’s curiosity about how things work,” said Adrienne Chadwick, director of education for Young At Art. “Budding engineers and sculptors alike will use imagination and art to think outside the box and learn about the physical sciences through inventive activities throughout the exhibit.”
As part of the exhibition, K’NEX Industries, one of the world’s leading integrated construction toy companies, will have on display models made solely from K’NEX rods and connectors. The models will range from a ten-foot tall roller coaster and a six-foot Ferris wheel to a variety of swing rides from three-10 feet and the new Serpent’s Spiral, a four-foot tall roller coaster made from K’NEX regular and micro parts.
Visitors will have the option to purchase their on-site creations and designs, set at a predetermined price according to the weight of the total parts used. Young At Art will have K’NEX sets on sale for aspiring young engineers and architects.
Also, throughout the duration of the exhibit, guests are invited to bring their best photos taken at theme parks, amusement parks or carnivals and submit them to the Young At Art Roller Coaster Photo Gallery for the chance to win a family four pack of tickets to attractions in Florida.
Young At Art is located at 11584 W. State Road 84 in Davie. Hours are Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $8 per person. Children under age two are admitted free. For more Museum membership and other information, call 954-424-0085 or visit YoungAtArtMuseum.org. To learn about K’NEX Industries and the company’s thrill ride series, please visit http://www.knex.com.