Science Exhibits
The following science exhibits are available through the Traveling Exhibits Program. For more information, call 803.737.4159 or email tep@scmuseum.org
The Great Charleston Earthquake, 1886
This exhibit examines the most destructive earthquake ever recorded in the eastern United States. The quake occurred near Charleston, SC on August 31, 1886. Discover details about the devastation and how rescue efforts were deployed during the 1800’s. The exhibit also teaches how to protect yourself today should an earthquake occur.
The Great Charleston Earthquake, 1886 was developed by the South Carolina State Museum with research, collaboration and assistance from Susan Millar Williams and Stephen G. Hoffius, authors of “Upheaval in Charleston: Earthquake and Murder on the Eve of Jim Crow” (University of Georgia Press, 2011) and the Emergency Management Division of South Carolina. The book is available for sale in the museum's store, Cotton Mill Exchange.
The exhibit comes with a tour that is aligned with S.C. education standards for those venues wishing to attract school groups and also includes materials for an entertaining tent building project to be used during family or school programs.
A DVD is included that includes additional information on the history of the quake and about the geological make up of South Carolina and why the state is prone to so many earthquakes.
Specs:
• 15 metal framed exhibit panels 31X 37
• 1 canvas depiction of St. Philip’s Church 114’ x 85”
• 1 education package for tent building project
• DVD featuring interviews with book authors and local experts on geology and history.
• Digital press package with photos
Cost:
• $300 for one month rental
• $450 for two month rental
• $600 for three month rental
Security: Medium
Transportation: Van with seats removed
Looking In: Earth from Space
Satellites, robots and computers provide amazing images of our planet. From the data sent back to Earth, 
scientists can study weather fronts, track hurricanes and observe events unfolding on our planet’s surface.
Twenty-one high resolution images from NASA’s on-line resources were mounted and framed for this exhibit which was on view at the State Museum in 2007. The idea is “how do we look back at Earth from space?” says Curator of Science and Technology Tom Falvey who developed the exhibit for the State Museum. Looking In: Earth from Space examines our home planet with new eyes. “For example, the exhibit demonstrates how science studies river systems and volcanoes, land use, forest health and the effects of deforestation by viewing these natural features from space,” says Falvey.
Falvey planned the exhibit to stimulate an appreciation of the beauty and rarity of our planet. “Looking In: Earth from Space presents a unique perspective of our planet. Enhanced appreciation of our home world will encourage us to redouble our efforts to take care of it.”
Specs:
• 10 wood framed color photographic images. 24” x 28"
• 11 wood framed color photographic images, 28” x 40”
Cost:
• $175 for one month rental
• $200 for two month rental
• $300 for three month rental
Please Note: Looking In: Earth from Space is available as a stand alone exhibit or it can be displayed with its sister exhibit Looking Out: Space from Earth. Inquiries about the cost of renting both exhibits are welcome.
Press kit included with photos and a press release for your letterhead.
Security: Low
Transportation Requirements: Van with no seats
Looking Out: Space from Earth
Technology has enabled us in the past 50 years to peer into outer space like never before using rockets, moon landings, space stations, super telescopes and space shuttles.
Looking Out: Space from Earth features 25 spectacular images of space including solar flares, deep space formations, and a sunset on Mars taken by robot-operated cameras.
The future offers opportunities to study our galaxy in greater detail than ever before. International collaboration expands space and earth research possibilities. More powerful computers, advanced materials and spacecraft will reveal astonishing discoveries and provide information that will continue to amaze us. Imagine the surprises to come in the next fifty years!
Specs:
• 12 wood framed color photographic images. 15” x 15”
• 6 wood framed color photographic images, 24” x 28"
• 3 wood framed color photographic images, 13” x 13”
• 4 wood framed color photographic images, 17” x 21”
Cost:
• $175 for one month rental
• $200 for two month rental
• $300 for three month rental
Please Note: Looking Out: Space from Earth is available as a stand alone exhibit or it can be displayed with its sister exhibit Looking In: Earth from Space. Inquiries about the cost of renting both exhibits are welcome.
Press kit included with photos and a press release for your letterhead.
Security: Low
Transportation Requirements: Van with no seats
Diversity Endangered
Diversity Endangered is a natural history exhibit created by the Smithsonian Institution with a grant from the National Science Foundation. Thirteen colorful panels cover every aspect of the effect humans have on the Earth’s ecosystems.
You don’t have to be a scientist to recognize that vast areas of wilderness are disappearing. Every time a highway is constructed, a river dammed, a streambed diverted, or a forest cleared, the natural habitat of plants and animals is lost. In many cases, habitat is not destroyed entirely. What does vanish is the unseen diversity that depends on complex interactions between all of an environment’s elements. More than likely, the world’s wildlife will never disappear completely. Some species, such as grey squirrels, starlings, and ragweed, actually flourish in degraded areas. It is the species that are specialized and more sensitive to environmental changes—otters, bluebirds, columbine—that vanish. Conceivably, much of the earth may one day be populated only by those few species hardy enough to survive in depleted environments.
Diversity Endangered is ideal for nature centers, schools and natural history museums.
Specs: 13 metal framed panels 40”(h) x 27”(w)
Cost:
• $275 for one month rental
• $400 for two month rental
• $500 for three month rental
Press kit included with photos and a press release for your letterhead.
Security: low
Transportation requirements: Cargo van with no seats
Fractals: Mathematics and Science As Art
Mathematical "objects" produced by a computer.These 32 panels, 20" x 30" colorful framed images provide a mix of horizontal and vertical presentation formats, with two pieces (seemingly identical) meant to hang about an inch apart--creating one larger "image"
Fractals are many things. These abstract designs depict some of the following:
- fascinating designs of infinite structure and complexity.
- geometric shapes that have symmetry of scale.
- designs that mimic naturally occurring patterns (like clouds, mountains, river systems and deltas, coastlines, leaves, snowflakes, the nervous system, and blood vessels).
- images which are repetitive in shape but not in size.
- mathematical "objects" produced by a computer.These colorful framed images provide a mix of horizontal and vertical presentation formats, with two pieces (seemingly identical) meant to hang about an inch apart--creating one larger "image".
One's imagination and curiosity might be awakened with these attractively produced two dimensional artistic creations.
Specs: 32 framed images 20” x 30”
Cost:
• $300 for one month rental
• $450 for two month rental
• $600 for three month rental
Security: Moderate
Transportation Requirements: Van with no seats